Father, who gave him both the idea and the will to do this act of
filial love, and enabled him to accomplish it.

Some sand and a few stones remained; Francis took them up and
carried them back near to the house. Then he cleared away the
rubbish, and having put on his coat again, returned joyfully to
replace his tools in the green-house.

All this was done after dinner, between the hours of three and six.
The evening passed quietly away. Grandpapa had not received any
bruises, and he could not sufficiently thank the Good shepherd, the
Lord Jesus, who had, as it were, "carried him in his arms," and "kept
all his bones."

Grandmamma joined in his praises and thanksgivings, and these two
faithful servants blessed the Lord together, whose mercies are over
all his works.

"To-morrow, please God," said Grandpapa to Francis, "I shall go and
see old George. He must have expected me to-day! But be assured, my
dear Francis, that your Grandpapa will walk no more like a giddy
child; and if the path is still slippery, I shall place my foot
prudently upon it."

Francis said he hoped the path would be better; and however that
might be, that the Lord would preserve him thenceforth from slipping,
and above all, from falling.

Grandpapa made Francis read the Bible as usual to the whole
household. He spoke piously of God's paternal care for our bodies as