His father gazed at him with a sad smile; and Anna wondered to see her aunt wipe a tear from her eye.
"What did Edward say?" asked Helen.
"He said nothing. He had no voice in which to utter his thanks; the proposition was beyond what he could realize, from his utter, forlorn, and hopeless wretchedness, to free, full, and entire bliss. Indeed he was lost in wonder, love, and praise. He lifted his eyes, streaming with tears, to his cousin's face, and, catching him by the hand, whispered, 'I accept your offer, and henceforth shall delight to know that all my dependence is upon one I so much esteem and love.'"
"And what did his wife and children say?" urged Walter, more moved than he cared to have seen.
"His wife acknowledged that she was very grateful; but she thought it would be too great an obligation. She told her husband, when their benefactor had gone to make arrangements for the sick man's removal, that she should feel awkward, living in so splendid a place, dependent upon a man with whom she was so little acquainted. And when, with kindling eye, he urged her to give a full and hearty acceptance of so generous an offer, saying that, since he had done so, he already began to feel the comfort and blessedness of his new home, she replied that she would think of it. On the whole she thought she would do so, but not quite yet. When she had decided, she could easily follow him.
"Mary and Lucy, the two daughters of Edward, had sat, through the whole interview with their relative, tightly clasping each other's hands. When the glorious offer of a happy home was extended to them, they rose at once, and going to him, said, 'We gladly, joyfully accept the invitation. We are both of us sadly weary of this wretched life, and are ready to leave it immediately.'
"The oldest boy expressed himself very much as Walter did just now. Notwithstanding the wretchedness of the life he now lived, he had a proud, independent spirit, and he said that if the gentleman would make some kind of a bargain with him, he would gladly exchange his poor hovel for a palace, and all the luxuries it contained; but he wanted to earn it. He would do any thing that was required, however painful; but something he must do, or he could not go. His brother, next in age, said that those were exactly his feelings. He should not wish to live in so elegant a home until he had done something to earn the privilege.
"The gentleman sadly shook his head, and told them the offer was gratuitous, and must be accepted as such, adding, 'If you were to work for me a hundred years, you could never earn such blessings as I am willing freely to bestow.'
"And so, with pride and rebellion in their young hearts, they turned away from him, and determined to live on in their old place.
"Little Freddy, the youngest child, sat by the couch of his father, his little hand striving to wipe the moisture which constantly gathered on the brow of the poor sufferer. As one and another made known their decision, his wan cheek flushed, and a calm resolve passed through his mind. When his brothers turned their backs upon their kind benefactor, he went toward him, and, throwing himself into his embrace, exclaimed, 'O, take me! I love you more than all the world beside. I will go and live with you forever.'"