"We've got to have a housewarming the first night, Cloudy," he called. "Come down and see how it all looks in the firelight."
So the two came down-stairs, and all three sat together on the deep-blue velvet settee in front of the fireplace, Julia Cloud in the middle and a child on either side.
They were all very tired and did not say much, just sat together happily, watching the wood blaze up and flicker and fall into embers. Presently both children nestled closer to her, and put down a head on each of her shoulders. So they sat for a long time quietly.
"Now," said Julia Cloud, as the fire died down and the room grew dusky with shadows, "it is time we went to bed. But there is something I wish we could do this first night in our new home. Don't you think we ought to dedicate it to God, or at least thank God for giving it to us? Would you be willing to kneel down with me, and--we might just all pray silently, if you don't feel like praying out loud. Would you be willing to do that?"
There was a tender silence for a moment while the children thought.
"Sure!" growled Allison huskily. "You pray out, Cloudy. We'd like it."
"Yes," whispered Leslie, nestling her hand in her aunt's.
And so, trembling, half fearful, her heart in her throat, but bravely, Julia Cloud knelt with a child on either side, hiding wondering, embarrassed, but loyal faces.
There was a tense silence while Julia Cloud struggled for words to break through her unwilling lips, and then quite softly she breathed: "O dear Christ, come and dwell in this home, and bless it. Help us to live to please Thee. Help me to be a wise guide to these dear children----"
She paused, her voice suddenly giving way with a nervous choke in her throat, and two young hands instantly squeezed her hands in sympathy.
Then a gruff young voice burst out on one side, "Help me to be good, and not hurt her or make it hard for her."
And Leslie gasped out, "And me, too, dear God!"
Then a moment more, and they all rose, tears on their faces. In the dying firelight they kissed Julia Cloud fervently, and said good-night.