"The little brook flows on as before, The little lark sings with as sweet a sound, The little babe crows at the cottage door, And the red rose blooms; but Cristelle lies drowned! "Come in softly; this is the room. Is not that an innocent face? Yes, those flowers give a faint perfume: Think, child, of heaven, and our Lord his grace. "Three at the right, and three at the left, Two at the feet, and two at the head, The tapers burn; the friends bereft Have cried till their eyes are swollen and red. "Who would have thought it, when little Cristelle Pondered on what the preacher had told? But the wise God does all things well, And the fair young creature lies dead and cold! "Then the little stream crept into the place, And rippled up to the coffin's side, And touched the corpse on its pale round face, And kissed the eyes till they trembled wide,-- "Saying, 'I am a river of joy from Heaven; You helped the brook, and I help you; I sprinkle your brows with life-drops seven; I bathe your eyes with healing dew.' "Then a rose branch in through the window came, And colored her lips and cheeks with red; 'I remember, and Heaven does the same,' Was all that the faithful rose branch said. "Then a bright, small form to her cold neck clung; It breathed on her till her breast did fill, Saying, 'I am a cherub fond and young, And I saw who breathed on the baby's mill.' "Then little Cristelle sat up and smiled, And said, 'Who put these flowers in my hand?' And rubbed her eyes--poor innocent child-- Not being able to understand. "But soon she heard the big bell of the church Give the hour; which made her say, 'Ah! I have slept and dreamt in this porch. It is a very drowsy day!'" "O," said Nettie, drawing a long, deep breath, "I think, Allan, that it's the most beautiful story I ever heard. Do you know who wrote it?" "No," said Allan. "I used to think it was auntie's own; but I asked her once, and she said, 'O, no, indeed!' and that she did not know who wrote it, but thought it was a translation from the German." "Adele would have liked that so much!" said Nettie thoughtfully, "and she would have been just like little Cristelle, too." "Yes," said Allan, "I think she would; and that would have been because both of them were trying to please the Lord. Don't you see, Nettie?" "But after all, Allan, it is not a true story." "It's an allegory," said Allan. "It means that if we do every little simple kindness for the sake of helping others and pleasing the Lord, that we shall be children of the Lord, and live in heaven with him."