She lifted up the heavy bundle of work as she spoke, and went away with a smile on her lips, but feeling very weak and giddy nevertheless. It might have been from bending so constantly over her sewing, or in consequence of having eaten nothing that day but a little bread and milk.
Matthew leant back in his chair with closed eyes, and listened to the children singing their little hymns. He did not feel inclined to sleep. There was one hymn which particularly arrested his attention, and which he never remembered to have heard them sing before. It may be that he had never noticed it.
"One sweetly solemn thought
Comes to me o'er and o'er;
I'm nearer home to-day
Than I ever have been before.
"Nearer my Father's house,
Where the many mansions be;
Nearer the great white throne,
Nearer the crystal sea.
"Nearer the bound of life,
Where we lay our burdens down;
Nearer leaving the cross,
Nearer gaining the crown!
"But lying darkly between,
Winding down through the night,
Is the deep and unknown stream
To be cross'd ere we reach the light.
"Jesus, perfect my trust,
Strengthen the hand of my faith,
Let me feel Thee near when I stand
On the edge the shore of death.
"Feel Thee near when my feet
Are slipping over the brink:
For it may be I'm nearer home,
Nearer now than I think."
"The many mansions," repeated Matthew, "that was what Marshall was speaking of the other day,—and the Saviour Christ having gone before to prepare a place for him, and having only to knock and give in the Lord's name in order to be let in. But there was something more he said about a wedding garment that I did not rightly understand. I wonder what makes me think so much of the old man to-night."
[CHAPTER XI.]
DARK AND CLOUDY DAYS.
WHEN Mrs. Reardon returned home, she told her husband that a doctor was coming to see him on the following day.
"How do you know? Did you meet Marshall?" inquired Matthew eagerly.
"It's some one Mrs. Browne knows. She's going to send him."
"How came she to hear of my illness?"