But Edred thought not of it, his eyes were fixed on the Light beyond.
"You are not going to leave me alone?" said the younger boy yearningly.
"I must; I have been sent for by the King. He told me some little time ago that it would be soon."
"Oh, Edred!" murmured Alwin.
"He will bear you through too," answered Edred kindly. "I could not have believed that His words would have cheered me so. I am quite joyful in going now. I only long to cross."
As he spoke he stepped into the River, which looked to me so dark and drear.
Now a mist brooded over the River, between those standing on the bank and the Shore beyond, and so Edred was lost to my sight.
Alwin stood long looking after him, with tear-dimmed eyes; but by-and-by he turned once more to the Book in his hand, and as he read it I noticed that the sorrow passed away from his face.
"A little while," he murmured to himself, and turned to go on his journey.
But I saw that his road lay close to the River; and, or ever I was aware, I found he too had entered the water, and was actually crossing over to the bright Land.