"I don't deserve it, Mrs. Williams, indeed I don't, but I would lie easier there. That sod has known us for a thousand years, and it's the greenest, softest, kindest sod in all the world; but little I'll mind when the breath is gone. I'll not be asking that much of you." "My dear old chap, we won't lose sight of you until that green sod covers the stanchest heart that ever beat. Polly is right. We'll go with you to Sligo,--all of us,--Polly and Jane and Jack and I, and Kate and the babies, too, if we can get them. You shall not be lonesome." "Lonesome, is it? I'll be in the best of company. Me heart is at rest from this moment, and I'll wait patiently until I can show you Sligo. This is a fine country, Mrs. Williams, and it has given me the truest friends in all the world, but the ground is sweet in Sligo." His breath came fainter and faster, and we could see that it would soon cease. After resting a few minutes, Sir Tom said:-- "Me lady Laura, do you mind that prayer song, the second verse?" Laura's voice was sobbing and uncertain as it quavered:-- "Other refuge have I none," but it gained courage and persuasiveness until it filled the room and the heart of the man with,-- "Cover my defenceless head, With the shadow of Thy wing." A gentle smile and the relaxing of closed hands completed the story of our loss, though the real weight of it came days and months later. It was long before we could take up our daily duties with anything like the familiar happiness. Something had gone out of our lives that could never be replaced, and only time could salve the wounds. The dear man who had gone was no friend to solemn faces, and living interests must bury dead memories; but it was a long time before the click of Jane's hammer was heard in her forge; not until Laura had said, "It will please _him_, Jane." CHAPTER LVIII BACTERIA January, February, and March passed with more than the usual snow and rain,--fully ten inches of precipitation; but the spring proved neither cold nor late. During these three months we sold butter to the amount of $1283, and $747 worth of eggs; in all, $2030. The ploughs were started in the highest land on the 11th of April, and were kept going steadily until they had turned over nearly 280 acres.