The bells soon stopped ringing, however, but there were other pleasant sounds telling of Nature’s peaceful life all round. Sheep bleated and cattle lowed in the level fields lying westward, whilst from the east came the soft, ceaseless murmur of the ocean, that mysterious, inexplicable voice that is never silent, and yet whose secret language no man has ever yet been able to interpret. Bertie walked onwards in a state of dreamy contentment. The air was very clear and blue and sunny, the sky overhead was free from all cloud, but in the west there was vapor enough to give to the slowly-declining sun a new glory of form and color, which would increase as the day drew to its close. Bertie was repeating to himself some words that had haunted him with greater or less persistence ever since he had heard them many months ago now. “I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Bertie said those words over two or three times to himself, and a smile suddenly shone over his face. “I do think He is,” he said, half aloud. “If he hasn’t done quite what I asked, He’s been very, very kind to me. He’s sent me to people who are good and who love me, and I might have been so miserable. He is good and kind; He doesn’t ever forget us quite. I’ll try always to be strong and of a good courage, and not to be afraid of anything. I think He’s sure to go on taking care of me, as He’s always been so kind.” And Bertie went on his way with a contented smile, feeling very safe and happy in the sense of the loving protection of the great Father in heaven. His destination was the churchyard, and as he approached he glanced up at the clock in the tower, and saw that he had plenty of time at his disposal before he should have to meet the Squire at the gate he had mentioned as the trysting-place. He heard the muffled sound of the organ and voices from within the ancient building, but all without was still and deserted, and he could prosecute his search unseen. What was it in that quiet graveyard that the child had come to see? Nothing more or less than the grave of which Mrs. Pritchard sometimes spoke with tears, where the mother and five children lay sleeping, all laid to rest together within the space of one short week. With quiet, reverent steps Bertie picked his way among the silent graves. A strange sense of loneliness had fallen upon him, and yet he was not afraid. He felt as if he were quite alone in this great Sabbath calm and stillness, with only the graves of those who had gone to keep him company. “Under the great yew tree at the south corner.” These had been Mrs. Pritchard’s words when Bertie had asked her where the grave stood that held the Squire’s dear ones, and by this description he guided his steps.