ld have kept Grace
Darling here had it been possible.

But it was not. A voice, very low, but so clear and distinct that it
was most plainly heard, was already speaking to the very soul of the
lighthouse-girl. She heard it in those quiet evenings when her eyes
looked over the sea, and she often wondered what the wild waves were
saying. In the busy mornings, when her hands took up the household
tasks, in order to lighten her mother's burdens, she received the
summons which had surely been sent to her. And even then she prepared
to go. Not for her were long years spent in the enjoyment of those
comforts which kind friends had provided for her. Hers was to be the
early fading of the flower, for the insidious disease which carries off
so many beloved ones from our midst had already marked her for his
prey. Says a writer of her--"She died in that beautiful period of her
life when all seems hallowed, so that the heart turns to her in her
loveliness, beauty, innocence, and purity, and venerates her as a gem
of virtue and a true heroine;" and he adds, "We are apt to regret that
one so deserving should be cut down so young." And all who contemplate
the life of Grace Darling must feel the same. And yet we need not
suppose that the prayers of her friends were unheard or unanswered. If
that which we call death were really ceasing to live, then indeed we
might well pray to have this life continued. But the Christian knows
better; and to him there is great significance in those words written
long ago--"He asked life of Thee, and Thou gavest it him, even length
of days for ever and ever." This life is but the beginning. It is
continued under other circumstances, and in a better land; and in that
land we may be sure Grace Darling has found a happy home.

She was never particularly robust. She had not a strong frame; and it
will be remembered that in our description of her in these pages, it
was remarked that she was of slight build, and had a clear complexion.
In the year 1851 [Transcriber's note: 1851 is what is in the book, but
since Grace Darling died in 1842, it should probably be 1841.], and
when she had only for a short time enjoyed the fruit of her heroic
deed, it became evident that her health was declining. There is always
room for hope, however, when the patient is young, and when, as in the
case of Grace, the disease is consumption. Its first attacks are so
insidious that the danger is not always realised.