"'And then there is that other verse, father: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."'
"Her voice trembled as she said it, and she paused, for they were her mother's dying words.
"'We will fear no evil, father. We won't stop trusting; will we, father?'
"'No, Lizzie; I sometimes fear I should if it weren't for you. What should I do without you?' and his arms grasped her closer, as if even the thought were painful.
"'O father, you would be glad that God had taken me where I couldn't suffer any more, and where I should be straight and pretty like other children.'
"'You are pretty now, Lizzie. I never see any face that looks so beautiful to me.'
"'But it isn't like other children's, father. When Mrs. Smith came in to-day, she had a pretty little girl with her, with such bright golden hair, and such rosy cheeks, and so tall and straight, she must look like the angels, I think. And when I looked at her, it was so hard to keep the tears from coming. I had to keep thinking of what mother told me when I read about the pool where the sick people washed and were made well; and I said I wished there was such a pool now. Mother said the river of death was such a pool, and that after I had crossed it, I should be like the angels in heaven. But she said, father, she should still know me; so, father, you will keep on trusting and praising too, won't you, if God takes me there?'
"He made no answer, but held her closely to him, till the few coals in the grate grew white, and the room grew cold.
"'It's too cold for you here, Lizzie, and we can't have any more coals to-night. Shall I put you in bed now?'
"'Let me sing mother's hymn first, father.'