"Dear child, no!" said Rose, laying a caressing hand on the young weeper's arm; "do not be alarmed; your dear mother is worn out with grief and nursing--she has scarcely slept for several days and nights--but is not ill otherwise, and I trust that rest and the consolations of God will still restore her to her wonted health and cheerfulness." "O grandma," sobbed Elsie, "do you think mamma can ever be cheerful and happy again? I am sure she can never forget papa." "No, she will never forget him, never cease to miss the delight of his companionship; but she can learn to be happy in the thought of his eternal blessedness and the sure reunion that awaits them when God shall call her home; and in the love of Jesus and of her dear children." Rose had thrown one arm about Elsie's waist, the other round Violet, and drawn them to a seat, while Edward and the younger children grouped themselves about her, Rose and Walter leaning on her lap. They all loved her, and now hung upon her words, finding comfort in them, though listening with many tears and sobs. She went on to speak at length of the glory and bliss of heaven, of the joy of being with Christ and free from sin; done with sorrow and sighing, pain and sickness and death; of the delight with which their sister Lily, their Grandmother Travilla, and other dear ones gone before, must have welcomed the coming of their father; and of the glad greeting he would give to each of them when they too should reach the gate of the Celestial City. "Yes, grandma, papa told us all to come," said little Rosie. "I know he did, dear child; and do you know the way?" "Yes, grandma, Jesus said, 'I am the way.' He died to save sinners, and He will save all who love Him and trust in Him alone, not thinking anything they can do is going to help to save them." "Save them from what, darling?" "From their sins, grandma, and from going to live with Satan and his wicked angels, and wicked people that die and go there." "Yes, that is all so, and oh what love it was that led the dear Saviour to suffer and die upon the cross that we might live! Dear children, it was His death that bought eternal life for your beloved father and has purchased it for us all if we will but take it as His free, unmerited gift." "But, grandma," sobbed Harold, "why didn't He let our dear papa stay with us a little longer? Oh I don't know how we can ever, ever live without him!" This called forth a fresh burst of grief from all, even little Walter crying piteously, "I want my papa! I want my own dear papa!" Rose lifted him to her lap and caressed him tenderly, her tears falling fast.