He drew her closer to his breast, and was silent a little while.
"I am very glad to hear you say that! then all will be well. And haven't you the best reason to think that all is well with your dear mother?"
Ellen almost shrieked. Her mother's name had not been spoken before her in a great while, and she could hardly bear to hear it now. Her whole frame quivered with hysterical sobs.
"Hush, Ellie!" said John, in a tone that, low as it was, somehow found its way through all her agitation, and calmed her like a spell; "have you not good reason to believe that all is well with her?"
"Oh, yes! oh, yes!"
"She loved and trusted Him, too; and now she is with Him she has reached that bright home where there is no more sin, nor sorrow, nor death."
"Nor parting either," sobbed Ellen, whose agitation was excessive.
"Nor parting! and though we are parted from them, it is but for a little; let us watch, and keep our garments clean, and soon we shall be all together, and have done with tears for ever. She has done with them now. Did you hear from her again?"
"Oh, no! not a word!"
"That is a hard trial. But, in it all, believe, dear Ellie, the love that God hath towards us; remember that our dear Saviour is near us, and feels for us, and is the same at all times. And don't cry so, Ellie!"