I'll learn that verse." The verse was repeated many times over, for Tip was not used to study.

While he was busy thus, the Spirit of God put another thought into his heart.
"I must ask Christ to help me now," he said, with reverent face; and, kneeling down, he made known his wants in very simple words, and in that plain, direct way which God loves.

Then he went down-stairs, prepared for whatever should befall him that day.
Kitty was up, and rattling the kitchen stove.
"Kitty, what's to pay ?" Tip asked, as he appeared in the door.
"What's to pay with you?
How did you happen to get up ?" Receiving no answer to this, she continued, "The old cat is to pay,--everywhere,--and always is! These nasty shavings are soaked through and through, and the wood is rotten,--and there isn't any wood anyway,--and I can't make this fire burn to save my life.

Mother is sick in bed,--can't sit up at all.
She told me to make a cup of tea for father, and things look as if it would get made some time next month." Kitty was only twelve years old, but, like most of those children who have been left to bring themselves up, and pick up wisdom and wickedness wherever they are to be found, she was wonderfully old in mind; and was so used to grumbling and snarling, that she could do it very rapidly.
"Oh," said Tip to himself, drawing a long breath, "what a place for me to commence in!" Then he came bravely to Kitty's aid.
"See here, Kitty, don't make such a rattling; you'll wake father.

I can make this fire in a hurry.