He spoke of his own worthlessness, and the Saviour's love, and pointed to a text which had been given him, "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Rev. xxii. 17). He never doubted his Saviour's love and power again; instead, the blessed name of Jesus was ever on his lips till he was called home about a fortnight later. Little Ben was very glad that John was gone to be with Jesus, and after this he was a frequent visitor at Mrs. Craig's. They liked to have him there, and Michael took a great interest in the boy. Many a ramble did Ben get in the wood, by the gamekeeper's side; he knew how to escape the traps he had once feared, and Michael liked to hear him talk and repeat his little texts. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever" (Heb. xiii. 8), was still a great favourite with him. Mrs. Craig did sorrow of course, but she was very glad and thankful that her son had gone home so happily, and she was very grateful to Mrs. Frankham for coming so many times to see him. Harry Gray, and his wife too, had stepped in several times and read passages from the Word of God to him. Michael was often away when the visitors called, but the death of his brother had had a great effect on both him and his wife, and they seemed anxious to hear the truth. CHAPTER XIII. A VISIT TO THE SEA. One day in the end of August, a happy little party landed at a sea-side place from one of the river steamers on the Thames. The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer. The little party consisted of Mrs. Craig, Michael, his wife and three children, and of Mr. and Mrs. Gray, Ben, Kit, and Harry. Harry was now a fine, strong boy, and able to run about. After they landed, the mother and children sat on the beach, while Michael and Harry went in search of their lodgings. Both families had engaged rooms in the same row of cottages, and were within three minutes' walk of each other and close to the sea. Quite a friendship had been formed between them since John's death, and when Harry Gray proposed a week's visit to the sea, they fell in with it at once. The fathers could only stay from the Saturday till Wednesday, and return and fetch their families home, but all were in high spirits at the prospect of a few days' holiday, and Ben and Kit were not among the least delighted. School discipline had very much improved Ben. He had dropped his rough words, was beginning to read very well, and could write a little too, and Mr. Goodall promised to take him as his message boy in October, if he continued to make progress.