"My dears," she said, "you have made my house so beautiful! and whenever I look at these lovely things my thoughts will be full of the dear givers. I shall not be here long, but while I stay my happiness will be the greater because of your kindness,"
"And the remembrance of these words of yours, dear aunt, will add to ours," said Mr. Keith, with feeling.
"But old as you are, Aunt Wealthy," remarked Mr. Dinsmore, "it is quite possible that some of us may reach home before you. It matters little, however, as we are all travelling the same road to the same happy country, being children of one Father, servants of the same blessed Master."
"And He shall choose all our changes for us," she said, "calling each one home at such time as He sees best. Ah, it is sweet to leave all our interests in His dear hands, and have Him choose our inheritance for us!"
There was a pause in the conversation, while Miss Stanhope seemed lost in thought. Then Mrs. Keith remarked:
"You look weary, dear Aunt Wealthy; will you not lie down and rest for a little?"
"Yes," she said, "I shall take it as the privilege of age, leaving you all to entertain yourselves and each other for a time."
At that Mr. Dinsmore hastened to give her his arm and support her to her bedroom, his wife and Mrs. Keith following to see her comfortably established upon a couch, where they left her to take her rest.
The others scattered in various directions, as inclination dictated.
Elsie and Annis sought the grounds, and, taking possession of a rustic seat beneath a spreading tree, had a long, quiet talk, recalling incidents of other days, and exchanging mutual confidences.