The day was breaking. Together we stood and watched the sky turn from its sickly pallor of many weeks' duration into wonderful shades of gold and then to glorious crimson. All of the east was streaked with red. Together we watched the winter's sun peep over the edge of the world and restore the hope of the land with a smile. Together we stood and watched and waited while the Master painted. Unconscious of anything but the present need of the heart, forgetful of anything which now lay eternally behind, I tenderly placed my arm about her, and Nance, with the sob of a grief-stricken child, laid her weary head upon my breast. The sunlight from over the hills and the river burst into the room like an irresponsible, happy youth and flooded it with light.
"I shall need you very much now, dear," she said simply. Suddenly from the bed we heard him call:
"My children!"
We hastened to his side and drew the curtains.
"The sun!" exclaimed he. "I own the sun," he smiled at me.
Then for a moment he caressed it and seemed to drink in its life and beauty as it shone in lusty splendor upon his counterpane.
"Will you place some pillows behind me?" he requested.
"Now, that will do. Thank you, my dear-a," he smiled feebly at Nance, who had deftly arranged him so that he half-way sat up.
"Ah, my little jade, I'm off for the long, white highway.... My children, yours is the old home—
"Do not interrupt me!" he exclaimed. "I must speak now, for they are waiting, for me.... The old house, the old Prosper, the books, and my pleasant ghosts—I shall leave them and yet take them, that being a special privilege allowed choice spirits—all, all yours, my dears.... As for me," here he smiled in an old familiar whimsical way, "I'm off for Paradise!"