Mary kissed her mother. "Mother, you always say what comforts one; you always make me wish to live more patiently and lovingly."
"And yet, Mary," said her father, "mother's life has been one round of small duties."
Mary sat thinking for a moment. "Yes, father," she answered slowly, "I see now that mother's life has been the very best sermon on duty. I shall try to be patient and happy in simply doing well whatever my hands find to do. But I wish Manasseh were home;" and she looked wistfully to the west, where bands of color were spreading up the sky, saffron at the horizon, blending into gold and tender green above, while all melted into a sapphire dome streaked and flecked with rosy pink rays and bars.
"How he would enjoy this glorious sunset! Oh, father, how dreadful if he were to be killed!—if he were nevermore to sit with us looking at the sunsets!" Her voice trembled a little as she spoke.
"We are committing him to the care of Almighty God," returned Nathan, solemnly. "God is love, and whatever he does will be best."
"You find great comfort, father, in believing that 'all things work together for good to them that love God,'" said Mary.
"For the children of God, everything that happens must be best."
"Even persecution and death?"
"Even persecution and death, if God so will."
Mary looked at his placid face for a long time, then she said: "How very peaceful you and mother are!"