Paula the Waldensian - Eva Lecomte

I interrupted her to ask if she knew he had been liberated from the jail
that very day.
"Oh, yes," she said; "he made a terrible scene this morning bullying his
poor wife around. The poor soul is certainly worthy of our pity. But here I
am talking on and on without enquiring once as to Catalina's health."
"It was Catalina herself who sent us with this package for you," said
Paula. "For me!" cried the old lady. "What's all this?" and she nervously
untied the strings. Then as she saw the good warm dress, her eyes filled with
tears. "May the Lord bless the dear girl! He surely must have revealed to her
my need!"
"Would you mind, please, putting it on? Catalina wanted us to find out if
it fits you," I said.
The good woman nothing loath tried on the dress as she exclaimed, "My,
oh me, how handsome I am for once in my life, at least," and a merry twinkle
danced in old Celestina's eyes, "I'll have to keep this for Sunday wear only."
"No," said Paula, "Catalina said to be sure to tell you it was for everyday
wear, for you see how it keeps out the cold."
"Well, then," said the old lady, "I suppose I must obey orders. But my,
how beautiful it is, too beautiful for the likes of me!" And Celestina stroked
the lovely cloth with her gnarled and withered fingers. "How very good the
dear Lord is! And now if you don't mind, let us pray together here to thank
Him for all His mercies." Celestina who could not kneel, placed her hands on
our bowed heads, and after a heartfelt prayer of thanks asked the Lord to
bless us each one and each member of our family, her neighbors, and lastly
herself.
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