Audrey : $b or, Children of lightWalton, O. F., Mrs.
Religion
Audrey : $b or, Children of light
Walton, O. F., Mrs.
Children -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction; Children and death -- Religious aspects -- Christianity -- Juvenile fiction
"Yes, the King," said little Stephen, "the dear Son. Will He talk to
me, Granny Robin?"
"Yes, my darling," she said; "He will feed you, and He will lead you to
fountains of living waters, and you shall see His face, and His name
shall be in your forehead. You could never enter the Garden if He had
not died for you, and brought you into the Kingdom of Light."
"I think I shall soon go now," said little Stephen. "Perhaps I shall be
there to-morrow, Granny Robin."
She took a very tender leave of him when his father came to carry him
home to bed. He seemed more tired than usual that night, she thought;
perhaps he had talked too much. He would be rested in the morning, she
said to herself, as she took up her knitting. She could not see what
Stephen's father saw as he lifted him from her knee—that a change was
creeping over his little thin face. Aunt Cordelia saw it, too, as she
came to kiss him when he was carried past her window; and she followed
Stephen's father home, and helped him to undress the little boy, and to
lay him in bed.
"Thank you," said little Stephen, as he laid his head on the pillow;
"I'm so tired."
Aunt Cordelia sat down at the foot of the bed, and his father held his
little hand in his, and turned away, that Stephen might not see his
tears.
All was very still, and they thought that he had fallen asleep, when he
looked up and said—
"I've never said 'Good-night' to Audrey."
Aunt Cordelia went to fetch her. Audrey was in bed, but she wrapped her
in a shawl and carried her in.
Little Stephen sat up, put his arms round her neck, and whispered—
"Don't forget the two grandchildren, Audrey; you'll keep them nice,
won't you? Good-bye!"
When Audrey had gone, he seemed to be sleeping again, and his father
and Aunt Cordelia sat quite still, fearing to disturb him.
It must have been more than two hours after this, that he stirred again.
"What is it, Stephen?" asked his father. "What is it, my dear little
lad?"
"The graves—" said Stephen. "I never looked out to-night; take me to
look at them, father."
His father lifted him very gently and tenderly, and carried him to the
window.
It was full moon, and the churchyard was filled with the pale silvery
light. The grave of the two grandchildren was bathed in the moonlight;
and the child lay in his father's arms for a long time, looking at it.
Then he suddenly raised his head, and said, with a cry of gladness—
"Father, the angels have come! I can see them to-night."
And then his head fell back heavily on his father's arm.
Yes, the angels had come, and the little Child of Light had gone away
with them.
It was only Stephen's tiny worn-out body which his father laid back on
the bed. Stephen was gone. He had passed above the churchyard; he had
left the old city behind; he had gone higher than the moonlight, higher
and higher still, to the King's Garden.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account