"My dear child, I do grieve; but let that thought comfort us both in all our trials. He loves our beloved ones better than we do; what can we ask more, Nellie?"
Kissing her tenderly, she left the room.
And Nellie did as she suggested, and told her Father all about it.
Then she got into bed, and, worn out with her trouble and excitement, fell asleep.
Half an hour afterwards, Mrs. Arundel came in again to peep at her child.
"Poor little thing," she said to herself, "it is almost her first sorrow. May they both win well through it."
When Nellie got a letter the next morning telling her that Walter hoped to arrive at eight o'clock that evening, she found it hard work to settle down to any employment. Her dread grew with each hour as it passed, and Mrs. Arundel was quite grieved to see what a hold this disappointment had taken on her.
She went to meet the train alone. No entreaties from her brother and sister could prevail to let them come too.
"I want to talk to him, dear Ada," she said at last.
"Well, we would keep half a mile off, and not hear a word," said Arthur.