"Jesu, Lover of my soul,
Let me to thy bosom fly
While the nearer waters roll—"
Sang the voices overhead as John followed his sister into the small sitting-room.
"What do the doctors say?"
"There is nothing to be said. She feels no pain; has no disease.
It is old age, brother, loosening the cords."
"She is happy?"
"Ah, so happy!" Hetty's eyes brimmed with tears and she turned away.
"Sister, that happiness is for you too. Why have you, alone of us, so far rejected it?"
"No—not now!" she protested. "Speak to me some other time and I will listen: not now, when my body and heart are aching!"
Her sisters sang:
"Other refuge have I none;
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me!
All my trust on Thee is stay'd,
All my help from Thee I bring:
Cover my defenceless head
With the shadow of Thy wing!"