The loving arms were about his neck once more, and the warm, loving lips were kissing his own. “I will do any thing for you. O father, let us die together!”
“Yes, my darling, it is best: we will.”
Then very quietly and very tenderly he prepared the little fellow for his death; he heard his last confession and gave him his last absolution. Then they knelt together, hand in hand, before the crucifix.
“Pray for me, my darling.”
Then together their prayers silently ascended that the dear Lord would have pity on the [66] ]priest who had fallen in the terrible battle of life. There they knelt till midnight, when Ronald took the lad in his arms and carried him to the little chapel.
“I will say mass for the repose of our souls,” he said.
Over his night-shirt the child arrayed himself in his little scarlet cassock and tiny lace cotta. He covered his naked feet with the scarlet sanctuary shoes; he lighted the tapers and reverently helped the priest to vest. Then before they left the vestry the priest took him in his arms and held him pressed closely to his breast; he stroked the soft hair and whispered cheeringly to him. The child was weeping quietly, his [67] ]slender frame trembling with the sobs he could scarcely suppress. After a moment the tender embrace soothed him, and he raised his beautiful mouth to the priest’s. Their lips were pressed together, and their arms wrapped one another closely.
“Oh, my darling, my own sweet darling!” the priest whispered tenderly.
“We shall be together for ever soon; nothing shall separate us now,” the child said.
“Yes, it is far better so; far better to be together in death than apart in life.”