"Few people, I believe," said her brother, "would come exactly under that description; most flatter themselves with a vague hope of reunion after death."
"But that is a miserable hope very different from ours."
"Very different indeed! and miserable; for it can only deceive; but ours is sure. 'Them that sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.' "
"Precious!" said Alice. "How exactly fitted to every want and mood of the mind are the sweet Bible words!"
"Well!" said Mr. Humphreys, rousing himself "I am going in! These musquitoes have half eaten me up. Are you going to sit there all night?"
"We are thinking of it, Papa," said Alice, cheerfully.
He went in, and was heard calling Margery for a liglit.
They had better lights on the lawn. The stars began to peep out through the soft blue, and as the blue grew deeper, they came out more and brighter, till all heaven was hung with lamps. But that was not all. In the eastern horizon, just above the low hills that bordered the far side of the plain, a white light, spreading, and growing, and brightening, promised the moon, and promised that she would rise very splendid; and even before she came, began to throw a faint lustre over the landscape. All eyes were fastened and exclamations burst, as the first silver edge showed itself, and the moon, rapidly rising, looked on them with her whole, broad, bright face: lighting up not only their faces and figures, but the wide country view that was spread out below, and touching most beautifully the trees in the edge of the gap, and faintly the lawn; while the wall of wood stood in deeper and blacker shadow than ever.
"Isn't that beautiful!" said Ellen.
"Come round here, Ellie," said John; "Alice may have you all the rest of the year, but when I am at home you belong to me. What was your little head busied upon a while ago?"