They were making for the market-place, and when they reached it they
turned in at the church gates. Many a green grave lay there bathed in
the sunbeams; and many a simple stone, moss-grown and discolored, looked
brighter on this brilliant day. An old man sat on a tomb and leaned
forward on a stick. He seemed to doze in the light and warmth; but as
the little people passed him, he fumbled at his hat and smiled through
his teethless gums.
"'At's Billy," said the little fellow, with an air of knowledge.
The children walked to the southwest angle of the church, and stopped
before a white marble slab embedded in the wall. There was no grave
beneath it. Tossed on the shimmering waters that stretched away miles on
miles in front of it, or resting calmly in that ocean bed, was all that
remained of him to whom this stone was raised.
The little maiden cast her flowers in front of it. The little boy, too,
must needs cast his flowers also. Then he looked up with his great
wondering eyes at the letters of the inscription. They ran:
TO DEAR DANNY IN HEAVEN
The tide was just on the turn, and the murmur of the first receding
waves began to break the silence.
"Listen," said the little woman, with lifted finger.
"I 'ikes the sea," said the boy.
The children turned to go. "Come, Danny," said she.
"Ees, Ruby," he lisped.
When they reached the gate the little feet tripped faster over the
stones, and a silvery voice sang:
"Sweet violets, and primroses the sweetest."
END OF "SHE'S ALL THE WORLD TO ME"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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