Nobody laughed later, however, when all four girls were tucked in bed and not one of them could sleep. Betty in particular was in a nervous feverish condition which alarmed Elma. She would have gone to her mother’s room to ask advice, except for Mabel’s great indication of courage that afternoon, and the certainty that Mabel and Jean were both sensibly fast asleep in the next room. She took Betty into her own bed and petted her like a baby. On windy nights Betty never could sleep, and had always gone to Elma like a chicken to its mother to hide her head and shut out the shrieking and whistling which so unnerved her. But to-night, nothing could shut out the fear which had suddenly assailed her that everybody died sooner or later, and Cuthbert might have died that day. She lay and wept on Elma’s shoulder. At last the door moved gently and Mrs. Leighton came in. The moon shone on her white hair, and made her face seem particularly gentle and lovely. "I’ve been scolding Mabel and Jean for talking in bed," she said, "and now I hear you two at it." "Oh, mummy," replied Elma, "I’m so glad you’ve come. You don’t know how empty and dreadful we feel. We never thought before of Cuthbert’s dying. And Betty says you and papa might die--and none of us could p--possibly bear to live." She began to cry gently at last. "I can’t have four girls in one house all crying," said Mrs. Leighton; "I really can’t stand it, you know." "What--are Mabel and Jean crying?" asked Elma tearfully, yet hopefully. "Well, that’s one comfort anyway." Mrs. Leighton sat down by their bed. Long years afterwards Elma remembered the tones of her mother’s voice, and the quiet wonderful peace that entered her own mind at the confident words which Mrs. Leighton spoke to them then. "I thought you might be feeling like that," she said; "I did once also, long ago, when my father turned very ill, until I learned what I’m going to tell you now. We aren’t here just to enjoy ourselves, or that would be an easy business, would it not? We are here to get what Cuthbert calls a few kicks now and again, to suffer a little, above all to remember that our father or our mother isn’t the only loving parent we possess. What is the use of being taught to be devoted to goodness and truth, if one doesn’t believe that goodness and truth are higher than anything, higher than human trouble? If you lost Cuthbert or me or papa, there is always that strong presence ready to hold you." "Oh, mummy," sobbed Betty, "there seems nothing like holding your hand." Mrs. Leighton stroked Betty’s very softly. "Would you like a little piece of news?" she asked. "We would," said Elma. "The only person who is asleep in this household--last asleep, is--Cuthbert." "O--oh!" Elma could not help laughing. "And another thing," said Mrs. Leighton. "Didn’t you notice? Not one of my girls asked a single question about the girl whom Cuthbert saved." "How funny!" Betty’s sobs became much dimmer.