"I'm glad it was all so sweet and pleasant.Come and rest,you look so tired";and Jill held out her hands to greet them--a crumpled handkerchief in one and a little bunch of fading lilies in the other.
Jack sat down in the low chair beside her and leaned his head against the arm of the sofa,for he was tired.But Frank walked slowly up and down the long rooms with a serious yet serene look on his face,for he felt as if he had learned something that day,and would always be the better for it.Presently he said,stopping before his mother,who leaned in the easy-chair looking up at the picture of her boys'father,"I should should like to have just such things said about me when I die.""So should I,if I deserved them as Ed did!"cried Jack,earnestly.
"You may if you try.I should be proud to hear them,and if they were true,they would comfort me more than anything else.I am glad you see the lovely side of sorrow,and are learning the lesson such losses teach us,"answered their mother,who believed in teaching young people to face trouble bravely,and find the silver lining in the clouds that come to all of us.
"I never thought much about it before,but now dying doesn't seem dreadful at all--only solemn and beautiful.Somehow everybody seems to love everybody else more for it,and try to be kind and good and pious.I can't say what I mean,but you know,mother";and Frank went pacing on again with the bright look his eyes always wore when he listened to music or read of some noble action.
"That's what Merry said when she and Molly came in on their way home.But Molly felt dreadfully,and so did Mabel.She brought me these flowers to press,for we are all going to keep some to remember dear Ed by,"said Jill,carefully smoothing out the little bells as she laid the lilies in her hymn-book,for she too had had a thoughtful hour while she lay alone,imagining all that went on in the church,and shedding a few tender tears over the friend who was always so kind to her.
"I don't want anything to remember him by.I was so fond of him,I couldn't forget if I tried.I know I ought not to say it,but I don't see why God let him die,"said Jack,with a quiver in his voice,for his loving heart could not help aching still.
"No,dear,we cannot see or know many things that grieve us very much,but we can trust that it is right,and try to believe that all is meant for our good.That is what faith means,and without it we are miserable.When you were little,you were afraid of the dark,but if I spoke or touched you,then you were sure all was well,and fell asleep holding my hand.God is wiser and stronger than any father or mother,so hold fast to Him,and you will have no doubt or fear,however dark it seems.""As you do,"said Jack,going to sit on the arm of Mamma's chair,with his cheek to hers,willing to trust as she bade him,hut glad to hold fast the living hand that had led and comforted him all his life.
"Ed used to say to me when I fretted about getting well,and thought nobody cared for me,which was very naughty,'Don't be troubled,God won't forget you;and if you must be lame,He will make you able to bear it,"said Jill,softly,her quick little mind all alive with new thoughts and feelings.
"He believed it,and that's why he liked that hymn so much.I'm glad they sung it to-day,"said Frank,bringing his heavy dictionary to lay on the book where the flowers were pressing.
"Oh,thank you!Could you play that tune for me?I'didn't hear it,and I'd love to,if you are willing,"asked Jill.
"I'd idn't think I ever should want to play again,but I'd o.Will you sing it for her,mother?I'm afraid I shall break down if I try alone.
"We will all sing,music is good for us now,"said Mamma;and in rather broken voices they did sing Ed's favorite words:
"Not a sparrow falleth but its God cloth know,Just as when his mandate lays a monarch low;Not a leaflet moveth,but its God cloth see,Think not,then,O mortal,God forgetteth thee.
Far more precious surely than the birds that fly Is a Father's image to a Father's eye.
E'en thy hairs are numbered;trust Him full and free,Cast thy cares before Him,He will comfort thee;For the God that planted in thy breast a soul,On his sacred tables dcth thy name enroll.
Cheer thine heart,then,niortal,never faithless be,He that marks the sparrows will remember thee."