Solemnly came the "Amen" from his lips, tremulous as the bridge of light he had once passed over.
"Good-bye, Mr. Axtell; I shall fulfil Mary's wish for you, if you will let me;" and I offered him my hand for this second parting: the first had been when he went out alone to his mother's burial.
He looked at it, as he then had done, uncomprehending, and said only,—
"Will I let you?"
He gathered up the cushion, and carried it to the church. I closed the gate that shut in this silent city, and went to the parsonage.
* * * * *
The sun had gone down,—the night was coming on. I found Aaron pacing the verandah with impatient steps. He asked where I had been. I told him.
"It is very well that you are going so soon," he said,—"you are getting decidedly ghostly. Will you take a walk with me?"
I was thankful for the occasion. As might have been expected, Aaron chose the way that led to the solemn old house. I was amused.
"Where are you going?" I questioned.