So I drownded him -- and , oh mother , it was awful hard -- but surely God will send Jem back now , 'cause Stripey was the dearest thing I had . I just told God I would give Him Stripey if He would send Jem back . And He will , wo n't He , mother ? ' `` Mrs. Meredith did n't know what to say to the poor child . She just could not tell him that perhaps his sacrifice would n't bring Jem back -- that God did n't work that way . She told him that he must n't expect it right away -- that perhaps it would be quite a long time yet before Jem came back . `` But Bruce said , ` It ought n't to take longer 'n a week , mother . Oh , mother , Stripey was such a nice little cat . He purred so pretty . Do n't you think God ought to like him enough to let us have Jem ? '' `` Mr. Meredith is worried about the effect on Bruce 's faith in God , and Mrs. Meredith is worried about the effect on Bruce himself if his hope is n't fulfilled . And I feel as if I must cry every time I think of it . It was so splendid -- and sad -- and beautiful . The dear devoted little fellow ! He worshipped that kitten . And if it all goes for nothing -- as so many sacrifices seem to go for nothing -- he will be brokenhearted , for he is n't old enough to understand that God does n't answer our prayers just as we hope -- and does n't make bargains with us when we yield something we love up to Him . '' 24th September 1918 `` I have been kneeling at my window in the moonshine for a long time , just thanking God over and over again . The joy of last night and today has been so great that it seemed half pain -- as if our hearts were n't big enough to hold it . `` Last night I was sitting here in my room at eleven o'clock writing a letter to Shirley . Every one else was in bed , except father , who was out .
I heard the telephone ring and I ran out to the hall to answer it , XXXXX it should waken mother .
So as before except if in of over that to