Mary broke forth into a low, wailing sob.
"Hush! stop crying, Mary; look up!"
Mary lifted her eyes, filled with touching awe, and choked back the agony of her grief.
"Father, I listen."
Oh, the holy love with which those eyes looked down into hers!
"Have you read the Bible that I left behind for you?"
"Yes, father; oh, yes, morning and night."
"Then, you know that the good meet again, after death?"
"But I—I am not good. Oh, father, father, I cannot make myself good enough to see you again; you will go, and I shall be left behind—I and mother!—I and mother!"
"Have you been patient with your mother—respectful to her?" he asked, sadly.