"'She wouldn't be here in time,' he said; 'but when she comes, tell her as the last word as her poor father said was, 'Wash me, and I shall be——'
"He couldn't finish it; so I said the end of it to him, 'whiter than snow.'
"'Yes, "whiter than snow," sins like crimson, "wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."'
"He didn't speak again, but after a bit I looked at him, and he tried to reach my hand. Though I don't understand that sort of talk myself, thinking to please him, I took his in mine, and said again, 'Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow,' and he gave one look at me, and then one long look up, and so passed away."
Cherry took the nurse's kind hand and covered it with kisses and tears; she tried to utter her thanks, but was choked.
And when she and Jem turned homewards once more, though her tears were pouring, they were far more grateful than sad, as the words seemed to ring in her ears:
"Not by might, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts."
