"I have written that," said Mrs. Bell, a minute afterwards.
"Now hand it to me to sign," said Albert.
They put the paper upon a book, and raising Albert up in the bed, they put the pen into his hand. He wrote his name at the bottom of the writing at the right hand. Then moving his hand to the left, he wrote the word 'witness' under the writing on that side. His hand trembled, but he wrote the word pretty plain. As he finished writing it he told Mrs. Bell that she must sign her name as witness. When this had been done he gave back the paper and the pen into Mary Erskine's hand, and said that she must take good care of that paper, for it was very important. He then laid his head down again upon the pillow and shut his eyes. He died that night.
Mary Erskine was entirely overwhelmed with grief, when she found that all was over. In a few hours, however, she became comparatively calm, and the next day she began to help Mrs. Bell in making preparations for the funeral. She sent for Bella to come home immediately. Mrs. Bell urged her very earnestly to take both the children, and go with her to her house, after the funeral, and stay there for a few days at least, till she could determine what to do.
"No," said Mary Erskine. "It will be better for me to come back here."
"What do you think you shall do?" said Mrs. Bell.
"I don't know," said Mary Erskine. "I can't even begin to think now. I am going to wait a week before I try to think about it at all."
"And in the mean time you are going to stay in this house."
"Yes," said Mary Erskine, "I think that is best."
"But you must not stay here alone," said Mrs. Bell. "I will come back with you and stay with you, at least one night."