"No," answered the boy, languidly turning his head; "I was only thinking of the last time----" Either this recollection, or the sight of Katrina's change of dress overcame him, and stopped what he was going to say. The short black petticoat, measuring ten yards in width, exhibited its newness by its bulk, its plaits not having subsided into the moderation of a worn garment. The blue stockings, the neat yellow slippers had disappeared, and the gold fillagree clasps in the front of the close cap were laid aside till the days of mourning should be ended. While Christian observed all this, contemplating her from head to foot, Katrina took up the discourse where he had let it fall.
"You were thinking of the last time my master had you laid on the bed beside him. It will always be a comfort to you, Christian, that he told you where he was departing."
"He did not tell me that," said the boy; "and that is just what I was wondering about. He said he was going, and I should like to know if he could have told where."
"To be sure he could. He was one of the chosen, and we know where they go. So much as you talk with the pastor, you must know that."
"I know that it is to heaven that they go, but I want to know where heaven is. Some of them say it is paradise; and some, the New Jerusalem; and some, that it is up in the sky among the angels. But do all the chosen know where they are going?"
Certainly, Katrina believed. The dying believer was blessed in his hope. Christian was not yet satisfied.
"I think I shall know when I am dying," said he. "At least, I often think I am dying when my pain comes in the night; but I do not know more about where I am going then than at other times."
Katrina hoped his mind was not tossed and troubled on this account.
"O, no; not at all. If God is good to me, and takes care of me here, he will keep me safe any where else, and perhaps let me go about where I like. And O, Kaatje, there will be no more crying, nor pain! I wish I may see the angels as soon as I die. Perhaps father is with the angels now. I saw the angels once, more than once, I think; but once, I am sure."
In a dream, Katrina supposed.