"Many have asked such questions as those, my child, but they cannot yet be answered; we must wait for fuller knowledge. All we know is that our dead have passed into a region which is under the control of Christ. They are safe in His keeping. His voice it was which called them from earth, and His voice it is which will call them forth on the morning of the resurrection. 'Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.'"
"But when will that be?" asked Beryl.
"We know not. The Lord has not revealed the time of His appearing; only we must seek to be ready for His coming," said the stranger. "But I am afraid I am keeping you too long, my child. Is that your nurse who is beckoning to you so energetically?"
"Yes, that is Lucy," said Beryl; "and Coral is with her. Won't you come and speak to Coral?"
"Who is Coral?" asked the gentleman. "Your little sister?"
"Oh no," said Beryl quickly; "but she is going to live with me, and be like my little sister."
And then, in hurried words, she told the story of the shipwreck—of Coral's and her mother's rescue—and of her father's sad fate.
The gentleman listened with interest to the child's account, though he had already heard all particulars of the shipwreck. Then, pitying the impatience which Lucy manifested, he crossed the beach to where she and Coral stood, and proposed that as he was about to return to the village, they should all walk back together.
The children were very pleased with their new companion, and chattered fast to him as they passed through the fields. When they reached the stone bench at the top of the hill, the gentleman paused and looked round.
"Look, children," he said, and they all turned to look.