His father came a little closer yet.
“No, dear boy,” he said. “It is Mass everywhere this morning. He was crucified, and this morning He rose again. That is all the world holds, and the heaven of heavens.”
“Yes, all,” said the boy. “And to-day——“
The whisper in which he had spoken died, and Dr. Thaxter took a step towards the bed, looked at him a moment, and then went back again.
For a minute or two Martin lay there quite still; then he put out his two hands on each side of the bed, one towards Helen, one to his father.
“I am awfully tired,” he said, “and I can’t talk. But I can listen still. Is Stella here?”
“No, Martin,” said Helen; “but she is coming as quickly as she can.”
“Ah! Father, say something, something that you and I both know and like.”
Mr. Challoner gently kissed the boy’s hand; then he raised his head and spoke.
“The King of Love my Shepherd is,
Whose Goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His,
And He is mine for ever.”