think he would be afraid.
Why the people there are as wicked as they can be."

"That is no reason why he should be afraid. What harm could they do to
him?"

"Why!--they could kill him, easily," said Julia.

"And would that be great harm to Mr. Rhys?" said Eleanor looking round
at her. "What if they did, and he were called quick home to the court
of his King,--do you think his reception there would be a sorrowful
thing?"

"Why Nell," said Julia, "do you mean heaven?"

"Do you not think that is Mr. Rhys's home?"

"I haven't thought much about it at all," said Julia laying her head
down on Eleanor's shoulder. "You see, nobody talked to me ever since he
went away; and mamma talks everything else."

"Come here in the mornings, and we'll talk about it," said Eleanor. Her
voice was a little husky.

"Shall we?" said Julia rousing up again. "But Eleanor, what are your
eyes full for? Did you love Mr. Rhys too?"

It was an innocent question; but instead of answering, Eleanor turned
again to the window. She sat with her hand pressed upon her mouth,
while the full eyes brimmed and ran over, and filled again; and drop
after drop plashed upon the window-sill. It was impossible to help it,
for that minute; and Julia looked on wonderingly.

"O Nell," she repeated almost awe-struck, "what is it? What has made
you sorry too?--" But she had to wait a little while for her answer.

"He was a good friend to me," said Eleanor at last, wiping her eyes;
"and I suppose it is not very absurd to cry for a friend that is gone,
that one will never see again."

"Maybe he will come back some time," said Julia sorrowfully.

"Not while there is work there for him to do," said Eleanor. She waited
a little while. There was some difficulty in going on. When she did
speak her tone was clear and firm.

"Julia, shall we follow the Lord as Mr. Rhys does?"

"How?"

"By doing whatever Jesus gives us to do."

"What has he given us to do?" said Julia.

"If you come to my room in the mornings, we will read and find out. And
we will pray, and ask to be taught."

Julia's countenance lightened and clouded with alternate changes.

"Will you, Eleanor! But what have we got to do?"

"Love Jesus."

"Well I--O I did use to, Eleanor! and I think I do now; only I have
forgotten to think about anything, this ever so long."

"Then if we love him, we shall find plenty of things to do for him."

"What, Eleanor? I would like to do something."

"Jus