as she saw their faces, 'I s'ppose your father
has been and told you. The missis is quite nicely this morning, and
wants to see you. Now if you go in, no tears, mind--nothing to make
her sad. You must make believe you're glad she's going, same as I do.'

A husky sob broke in the faithful servant's voice. She signed to the
children to go in, and turned away abruptly herself.

Hand in hand, on tiptoe, they stole to their mother's bedside.

Surely she was better with such a pink colour in her cheeks! She
smiled brightly at them, but her voice was weak and low.

'I haven't seen you for two days, darlings! Tell me what you've been
doing.'

'I've been in the field with father,' said Bobby, taking one of Mrs.
Allonby's hands in his, and very gently raising it to his lips to kiss.
'We've comed to tell you that we are very glad you're going through the
gates, but we would like you to ask God to let you come back to us very
soon.'

Sudden tears came to Mrs. Allonby's eyes.

'I think you must come to me,' she said almost in a whisper.

'We should like to do that very much, said Bobby bravely. 'True and me
are ready, we fink.'

'But, darlings,' went on Mrs. Allonby, 'you must not feel impatient if
God does not send for you just yet. I want my little daughter to grow
up to be a comfort to her father, to keep the house tidy, do his
mending, have comfortable little meals for him, and let him always feel
he has a home and a little daughter waiting for him.'

'And me?' questioned Bobby eagerly. 'What must I do for him? I
belongs to him besides True.'

'You belong to him more than True does. I want you to be his little
companion. Go out with him, talk to him, tell him about your lovely
picture, let him feel he cannot get on without you. Oh, Bobby, dear,
you love your father with all your heart and soul! Show it to him by
your life. I want you two to be inseparable. I shall pray you may be.'

A glorious light dawned in Bobby's eyes. He caught Mrs. Allonby's
meaning.

'I'll die for him if I can,' he said fervently; and deep down in his
heart he meant what he said.

True stood looking at her mother with sadly pathetic eyes.

'When are you going, mother? Oh, I think God might do without you a
little longer. I won't pretend I want you to go; I won't.'

'My little girl, I know you don't want me to leave you; and at first I
felt just like you do. But I have been lying here talking to God, and
He has been