"On this particular evening the lads, while busy there in the meadow, were surprised by hearing sounds as of a number of voices singing one of the elder's two tunes—I have forgotten now which it was—but the sounds came nearer and nearer, from the direction of the elder's house—and, to the great wonder and astonishment of the lads, passed above their heads.
"They heard the voices in the air, but saw nothing of the singers. Afterward they learned that the good old man had died just at that time."[A]
[Footnote A: Given the author as a fact, by a Christian lady who had it from the good minister's own lips.]
"How strange," said Evelyn, in an awestruck tone. "O Aunt Elsie, if I could hear their song of joy over papa, I should not grieve quite so much." The door opened and Laura looked in.
"Evelyn," she said, in a piqued tone, "your father wants you. It actually seems that you, a mere child, are more necessary to him than his own wife. He would see you alone for a few minutes."
Silently, for her heart was too full for speech, Evelyn withdrew herself from Elsie's arms and hastened to obey the summons.
CHAPTER V.
"Gone before
To that unknown and silent shore."
CHARLES LAMB.
Mr. Leland, lying pale and languid on his couch, was listening intently for the approaching footsteps of his child.