“Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom His love commits me here.
Ever this night he at my side,
To light, to guard, to rule, to guide.”
Mr. Compton, whose cigar had gone out, laid aside his paper, and forgetting his drink, glanced behind him, almost expecting to see hovering over him some bright and glorious creature of another world. Bobby went on: “May the soul of my dear papa and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen. God bless mamma—and God bless—uncle!”
Compton dropped his cigar.
“And,” continued Bobby, raising beautiful and loving eyes to the ceiling, “Oh, blessed Saviour bring back my mamma to me!”
Here Bobby broke down utterly.
“Steady, Bobby! You know what you told me. Didn’t you say God will bring her back?”
Bobby at these words mastered his tears, made the sign of the cross, and answered as he rose: “And I say so still. Good-night, uncle.”