Twelve days have passed
since, and only three rainy ones. I hear he has been seen upon the
knoll yonder; but hither he hath not come. I trust he knows at last
the value of time, and I shall be heartily glad to see him after
this accession of knowledge. Twelve days, it is true, are rather a
chink than a gap in time; yet, O gentle sir, they are that chink
which makes the vase quite valueless. There are light words which
may never be shaken off the mind they fall on. My child, who was
hurt by me, will not let me see the marks."
"'"Lady," said I, "none are left upon him. Be comforted! thou shalt
see him this hour. All that thy God hath not taken is yet thine."
She looked at me earnestly, and would have then asked something, but
her voice failed her. There was no agony, no motion, save in the
lips and cheeks. Being the widow of one who fought under Hawkins,
she remembered his courage and sustained the shock, saying calmly,
"God's will be done! I pray that he find me as worthy as he findeth
me willing to join them."
"'Now, in her unearthly thoughts she had led her only son to the
bosom of her husband; and in her spirit (which often is permitted to
pass the gates of death with holy love) she left them both with
their Creator.
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