"Yes; and oh, I asked him the meaning of the resurrection!" exclaimed Beryl eagerly. "And he explained it all so nicely. But I am afraid I cannot tell you properly what he said. Resurrection means rising from the dead; and as Jesus rose from the dead, so all those who trust in Him shall be raised up at last, although they are dead. But it is very difficult to understand, only it is plain that when we die we shall go to Jesus, and He will take care of us; so you see that there is nothing really to be afraid of in dying."
"Ah, child, it is easy to say so," said Mrs. Despard mournfully; "but I have been such a sinner. I cannot expect that the Lord would receive me."
"But I thought Jesus died for every one, whether they were sinners or not," said Beryl, looking puzzled; "and if any one can go into the kingdom, you can. You've only got to ask Jesus."
How straight to the point went the childish words! Long after Beryl had left her, the sick woman lay pondering them, and adding to them all that she could recollect of what she had learned in her childhood about the Saviour of the world, who by His death upon the cross and His glorious resurrection has redeemed us from the power of sin and death.
When Lucy came in, Mrs. Despard asked her for a Bible, and from that time, as her strength permitted, she daily studied the sacred Book, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, its words brought her life and peace. As she read of Him who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and who died to save His people from their sins, and deliver them from the fear of death, her spirit grew calm and restful. She looked no longer on her sins, but on the Lamb of God, who had taken them away. She could trust in God her Saviour, and trusting in Him with childlike faith, death was robbed of its sting and the grave of its terrors.
Some days passed ere Beryl again saw her friend David Gilbank, for a sudden change in the weather made it unpleasant to saunter on the beach, and quite impossible to sketch in the open air. The advance of spring was checked by biting east winds, which brought showers of sleet and even a slight snowstorm in their train. In place of the bright and joyous Easter which every one had expected, came a cold, inclement season, which would have seemed like Christmas but for the opening buds, and the primroses and violets, which smiled in the face of the cold wind, as if confident that its triumph would be of short duration, and sunshine and beauty would conquer in the end.
To the invalid's failing strength, the cold, raw weather struck a fatal blow. There was a rapid change for the worse, and she sank so low that the doctor gave warning that death might come at any hour.
On Easter Sunday, Beryl went with her father to church, but Coral was left at home in Lucy's care. The day was cold and showery, but every now and then the sun broke through the clouds, and smiled an assurance of better things to come. Beryl watched with pleasure the gleams of sunlight which from time to time lit up the diamond-paned windows, and sent bright shafts of light athwart the dusky old church. She was pleased to see Mr. Gilbank at church. He was looking pale and ill, and was much wrapped up, for the east winds had their perils for him.
Beryl drew her father's attention to the artist, and looked forward to speaking to him when the service ended.
Beryl was able heartily to enjoy that Sunday morning service. The solemn, sweet anthem, the bright, exultant hymns stirred the child's heart. She knew now the significance of Easter Day, with its joyful recognition of a risen Lord. She had learned the meaning of the long word which had puzzled her, and, however faint and imperfect the child's ideas of the resurrection may have been, doubtless she, in her childish simplicity, came nearer to the truth than many of the wise and prudent.