r's
face and head while she spoke, she said very softly and slowly,

"Mother, you know it is Jesus that said, 'Blessed are they that mourn,
for they shall be comforted.' You have the mourning now, but he will
find the comfort by and by."

Ashamed of her giving way, and of her having left it to the weak one to
act the part of the strong, Mrs. Mathieson checked herself, held up her
head and dried her tears. Nettie lay down wearily.

"I will stay here, mother," she said, "till tea is ready; and then I
will come." Mrs. Mathieson went to attend to it.

When Nettie went into the other room, her father was sitting there. She
said nothing however, and even for some time did not look in his face to
see what he might have to say to her. She took a cup of tea and a
biscuit, and eat an egg that her mother had boiled for her. It was when
supper was over, and they had moved from the table and Mrs. Mathieson
was busy about, that Nettie turned her eyes once more upon her father,
with their soft, full inquiry. He looked grave, subdued, tender; she had
heard that in his voice already; not as she had ever seen him look
before. He met her eyes, and answered them.

"I understand it now, Nettie," he said.

It was worth while to see Nettie's smile. She was not a child very given
to expressing her feelings, and when pleasure reached that point with
her, it was something to see such a breaking of light upon a face that
generally dwelt in twilight sobriety. Her father drew her close, close
within his arms; and without one word Nettie sat there, till, for very
happiness and weariness, she fell asleep; and he carried her to her
room.

There was a great calm fell upon the family for a little time
thereafter. It was like one of those spring days that were passed--full
of misty light, and peace, and hope, and promise. It was a breath of
rest.

But they knew it would end--for a time; and one summer day the end came.
It was a Sunday again, and again Nettie was lying on her bed, enjoying
in her weakness the loveliness of the air and beauty without. Her mother
was with her, and knew that she had been failing very fast for some
days. Nettie knew it too.

"How soon do you think father will be home?" she said.

"Not before another hour, I think," said Mrs. Mathieson. "Why, what of
it, Nettie?"

"Nothing----" said Nettie, doubtfully. "I'd like him to come."

"It wont be long," said her mother.

"Mother, I am going to give you my little dear