64 BATTLES OF THE BIBLE.

grandfather told us the story he had promised abont the
crafty Canaanitish people. No such story was to be
heard by us that night. When we came near enough
to see into grandfather’s garden, we saw that he was
walking in it, and some one else with him. It was not
very often that grandfather had visitors, and it seemed
to us as if he ought never to have any, for he had not
so much time to talk to us when strangers were with
him. This evening we were particularly dissatisfied.
We were very selfish children surely ; for though grand-
father seemed to enjoy his friend’s company very much,
we were greatly displeased with his being there, because
he prevented us from hearing the story we expected.
He took tea with us, and staid, I daresay, two hours
after it, for he was as fond of flowers as our grandfather
was, and had brought him a present of a basket of
plants from his own garden. Ido not remember now
what any of these plants were, except that there were
some very fine carnations among them. I never, even
now, see a carnation without feeling ashamed of myself
for my ill-humour that evening. I assisted to put the
plants in the ground, but not so cheerfully as I ought to
have done.

Grandfather observed our discontentment, and when
his friend had left he called George and me to him, and
spoke to us about it. We told him why we were dis-
pleased, and we thought when we were disappointed of
anything, that we had a right to be discontented. He
shewed us what a sinful thought that was; told us to