"Don't be angry with her, dear; she did all she could for us, you know, without injuring herself—and we had no right to expect that."
"But—her cruel words!"
"Dear Hannah, never mind; when you are hurt by such, remember our Saviour; think of the indignities that were heaped upon the Son of God; and how meekly he bore them, and how freely he forgave them."
"Nora, dear, you do not talk like yourself."
"Because I am dying, Hannah. My boy came in with the rising sun, and I shall go out with its setting."
"No, no, my darling—you are much better than you were. I do not see why you should die!" wept Hannah.
"But I do; I am not better, Hannah—I have only floated back. I am always floating backward and forward, towards life and towards death; only every time I float towards death I go farther away, and I shall float out with the day."
Hannah was too much moved to trust herself to speak.
"Sister," said Nora, in a fainter voice, "I have one last wish."
"What is it, my own darling?"