Gwen looked at her in surprise. "What are you saying, Aunt Cam? One doesn't have to die? What do you mean? But my father did die for another, Mr. Williams. What do you mean, Aunt Cam?"
"Are there no deaths then but the giving up of one's last breath?" inquired Miss Elliott. "Haven't you heard the expression, 'dead to the world'? There was a man out in China who certainly laid down his life. He is still upon this planet, but he has sacrificed everything, home, love, all that was dear to him for the sake of others."
Gwen knew who this was. Had she not seen the little picture, her aunt treasured, of a young ascetic with burning eyes and a firm mouth? "Oh!" she said and looked satisfied at the explanation, as did the man who turned his eyes from the fire to the woman and, to Gwen's surprise, looked an intelligent sympathy.
CHAPTER XV
ON THE DECK OF THE DOMHEGAN
There was an air of suppressed gaiety and subdued exultation in Ethel Fuller's manner when she met Gwen that evening at Cottage Hall where a concert was going on. She was rather splendidly attired for the occasion, and swept in alone. Mr. Mitchell arrived later with his mother and two of the Misses Gray. Gwen made a place by her side for Ethel. The music had not begun, for one of the singers was rushing around trying to find an accompanist, the one expected having failed him at the last moment.
"Did you have a dreadful time of it?" asked Gwen sympathetically as Ethel seated herself. "Weren't you awfully scared when the storm came up?"
"Not exactly scared," returned Ethel, "though it was rather frightful. We took refuge in an out-building and didn't get wet at all."
"What would you have done if the storm had continued?"