Jill's Red Bag

ere discussing plans for the afternoon in the school-room. It was a lovely day. The French windows were open, and the

croquet and tennis, but then, when cricket and rounders were as often the order of the day as anything else, it was not

y or good?" questio

her mouth and

questions. Jack and I are going to be what we

k, "we may want her. We're going to play

her little sist

make a go

there's the rubbish-pit in the backyard,

any colours," said Jill sl

e. Bumps looked

irty, and I've got my best

d upon her

ly good little boy, you can't do wrong if you play at being hi

blue jersey," broke in Jack,

yellow ribbon that Mona gave me; we'll twist

o come into the room just when Bumps was being arrayed in her many-coloured garment. They had taken it

ng pride, whilst Jill wound her yellow ribbon round and ro

s pockets was watching th

f talked it out. How shall we manage to di

never a

t a can of water, and one of Mona's red paints-th

s Falkne

could find a story-book to read to you. I haven't been successful, but I thought we wo

s faces looke

ank you," said Jill slow

ch a guy? I think we must lea

nday game; we're most partic'lar to play on

kner showed

ly; "take that jersey off, Winnie, a

ill in awe of her, but their disappointment was great, and th

s and cushions, the sweet spring air and sunshine, and

Jack lay on his back on the grass with another cushion tucked under his head, and Jill was c

doors, and would wander over the country day after day, taking their dinners in their pockets, and only coming home at bedtime. One day they went out feeling very unhappy. Their uncle had been very angry with them, and told them to be gone, and never come back again, for he was sick and tired of keeping them in his house. They walked on and on through a w

en, from a King who loves you, and want

must be a mistake. No one

does. Read H

were written upon it. He opened it. In golde

ek Me early shall find Me. Th

lifted at once to h

like a text

made no remar

letter through

ing live? Where is the way to Him? We would like t

ied. 'Let us go at on

ld man

really want to go to my Master? Then foll

to look across it. They saw on the other side a green hill with pe

appiness it is to be found inside those gates; no pain, no unki

e last words

ly began to fee

ltogether goo

one boy was rowing himself across in a boat, another was building a bridge, some were standin

xclaimed Cicely. 'How shal

man shook

His gates with spotlessly clean clothes. Look through this

Cicely spelled out: '"There shall in no wi

that mean?

st or dirt of any kin

his boots and clothes,

he said; 'how can we

g's Son made this river. It cost Him His life, but it was the only way trav

lean." "If I wash thee not,

hout washing in the river. That boy you see building a bridge is very eager and earnest, but his clothes will be too travel-stained and du

in the boat?

art of all. The King would never have placed the rive

ed Cicely dow

,' he said. 'We want

n they clambered up the other side, they found to their delight that their

yes fixed on the golden gates, and presently t

and shabby that their chance of entering the city was small indeed. Suddenly Cicely, who had been walkin

lf clean,' she said

and showed her a little stream ru

nd is always close to you. You can wash

ed the Golden City. It was a happy day for them then. They were tired, but they forgot their troubles when they saw the lovely gates. Two shining angels stood by the entrance, and they only let those in who had been washed in the river. They were the only ones who arrived in cl

was a short silence, then B

heir hands on children's heads

y make me feel so muddled. I love the Pilgrim's Progress if nobody tries to

explain my story?" ask

id Jack

Jill, in t

Falkner. "I have only told you about the start, because I wanted you t

ed her feet, and her big questioning eye

arted," she s

wanted Rufus and Cicely," Miss Falkner s

the river?"

wash you whiter than snow. You must go to Him and ask Him to c

nly dimly understanding the allegory,

d over on

" he said, rising to his feet;

butterfly, and in a moment was of

o and fro wrapped in deep meditation. The Golden City had entranced her. For the first time in her little life she bega

tart to