She smiled a little sadly, but went on, "and it would be more difficult to save me than two others."
"Still, do not despair," he said, "I will not leave you to perish alone; and I have hope that in the good providence of God, we shall all be saved."
Gradually the screaming, sobbing, fainting, gave place to a dull despairing waiting, waiting, with a trembling, sickening dread, for the confirmation of their worst fears.
Rosie had fallen asleep upon a sofa with her head in her eldest sister's lap, Vi on an ottoman beside them, tightly clasping a hand of each.
Elsie had her babe in her arms; he was sleeping sweetly, and laying her head back, she closed her eyes while her thoughts flew to Ion, to the husband and father who would perhaps learn to-morrow of the loss of all his treasures.
Her heart bled for him, as she seemed to see him bowed down with heart-breaking sorrow.
Then arose the question "what should the end bring to them—herself and her beloved children?"
For herself she could say, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death; I will fear no evil; for thou art with me." Elsie, Vi and Eddie she had good reasons to hope were true Christians; but Harold and Herbert?—A pang shot through her heart. Good, obedient children though they were, she yet knew not that they had ever experienced that new birth without which none can enter heaven.
Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
"Mamma, what is it?" Eddie asked, seeing her glance anxiously from side to side.