And so a twofold joy came into the dreary attic that day, and the burden of sin and the burden of poverty were alike lifted from Mrs. Mellor's life.
A few days more, and she with the boys had moved into small but clean rooms, not far from the Mission Hall. Friends had provided some additional furniture, and so amid brighter surroundings the winter passed away, and spring filled the earth with gladness—a gladness that found its way into the Mellors' home, and stayed there too. For it was God Himself who put the gladness into their hearts—a joy that no man could take from them—even His own presence and peace.
And so the years rolled on, and Phil's dream of being Mr. Cross's shopman was realized. Step by step he rose, until by-and-by he stood second only to the "master" himself; and folk did say that as Mr. Cross had no son, there was no knowing but what Phil might have the business one day.
Rob, whilst at school, showed such an ability for learning that his master wanted him to go in for teaching and be his pupil teacher. And it was then old Jasper's money came so handy to pay for books and fees; and when the years of training and study were over, Rob obtained an excellent appointment at a school only a few miles from Helmstone, so that he could come over for his Sundays in the comfortable home which he and Phil together kept for their mother; and could still attend the much-loved Mission Hall, where he and his brother were teachers now, instead of scholars, trying to tell others that old, old story which had been such a power in their own lives.
Jasper's memory was still sweet and sacred to both, and his grave (marked now by a tombstone which they had erected) often attracted their steps thither; for now in happy prosperity they could never forget the days of their childhood, when, amid so much that was hard and dreary, they always found the sunshine of love and sympathy in Jasper's old shed.
THE END.
Butler & Tanner, The Selwood Printing Works, Frome, and London.