tion and
the return of fine weather both had the effect of restoring the serenity
of their minds; and while Humphrey was preparing the paling to fix round
the grave of old Jacob, Alice and Edith collected the wild violets which
now peeped forth on sheltered spots, and planted the roots over the
grave. Edward also procured all the early flowers he could collect, and
assisted his sisters in their task; and thus, in planting it, and
putting up the paling, the grave of the old man became their constant
work-ground; and when their labour was done, they would still remain
there and talk over his worth. The Sunday following the burial, the
weather being fine and warm, Edward proposed that they should read the
usual service, which had been selected by old Jacob, at the grave, and
not in the cottage, as formerly; and this they continued afterwards to
do, whenever the weather would permit; thus did old Jacob's
resting-placing become their church, and overpower them with those
feelings of love and devotion which give efficacy to prayer. As soon as
the paling was finished Humphrey put up a board against the oak-tree,
with the simple words carved on it, "Jacob Armitage."

Edward had every day expected that Oswald Partridge would have called
upon him, as he had promised to do before the week was out; but Oswald
had not made his appearance, much to Edward's surprise. A month passed
away; Edward's arm was now quite well, and still Oswald came not. One
morning Humphrey and Edward were conversing upon many points--the
principal of which was upon Edward going to Lymington, for they were now
in want of flour and meal--when Edward thought of what old Jacob had
told him relative to the money that he would find in his chest. He went
into Jacob's room and opened the chest, at the bottom of which, under
the clothes, he found a leather bag, which he brought out to Humphrey;
on opening it, they were much surprised to find in it more than sixty
gold pieces, besides a great deal of silver coin.

"Surely this is a great sum of money," observed Humphrey. "I don't know
what is the price of things but it appears to me that it ought to last
us a long while."

"I think so too," replied Edward. "I wish Oswald Partridge would come,
for I want to ask him many questions. I don't know the price of flour
or anything else we have to purchase, nor do I know what ought to be
paid for venison. I don't like to go to Lymington till I see him, for
that r