Her burdens would have been the same perhaps; but the heart that was now such a heavy weight, would have been light.
Alas! She knew not the way. She shut her eyes to the blessing that was so close to her, and went along in darkness, dragging weary feet.
While Mrs. Elliot was thinking so sorrowfully, the young people were hurrying gaily down to the shore, full of life and merriment.
They soon reached the edge of the waves, and at first were satisfied to sit down and watch the rolling breakers. Then the girls sang, "What are the wild waves saying?" which Nellie said "was never old, and sung by the sea was always thrilling."
"Can't you sing us something?" asked little Mary, looking up in her face.
"I did not know you could sing," said Hope, bluntly.
"I do at home," said Nellie. "We sing a great deal."
"Well, sing something now," said George; "I am tired of the girls' old songs."
"Songs must get old; but relations ought never to get tired of them," said Nellie, smiling.
"Well, sing away, Miss Arundel," he answered.