bed with her to the tower-top. It was his delight to help her,
or to fancy that he did so, and they soon became close companions.

It happened, that, as she was reading in the old spot by herself one
day, this child came running in with his eyes full of tears, and after
holding her from him, and looking at her eagerly for a moment, clasped
his little arms passionately about her neck.

'What now?' said Nell, soothing him. 'What is the matter?'

'She is not one yet!' cried the boy, embracing her still more closely.
'No, no. Not yet.'

She looked at him wonderingly, and putting his hair back from his face,
and kissing him, asked what he meant.

'You must not be one, dear Nell,' cried the boy. 'We can't see them.
They never come to play with us, or talk to us. Be what you are. You
are better so.'

'I do not understand you,' said the child. 'Tell me what you mean.'

'Why, they say,' replied the boy, looking up into her face, that you
will be an Angel, before the birds sing again. But you won't be, will
you? Don't leave us Nell, though the sky is bright. Do not leave us!'

The child dropped her head, and put her hands before her face.

'She cannot bear the thought!' cried the boy, exulting through his
tears. 'You will not go. You know how sorry we should be. Dear Nell,
tell me that you'll stay amongst us. Oh! Pray, pray, tell me that you
will.'

The little creature folded his hands, and knelt down at her feet.

'Only look at me, Nell,' said the boy, 'and tell me that you'll stop,
and then I shall know that they are wrong, and will cry no more. Won't
you say yes, Nell?'

Still the drooping head and hidden face, and the child quite
silent--save for her sobs.

'After a time,' pursued the boy, trying to draw away her hand, the kind
angels will be glad to think that you are not among them, and that you
stayed here to be with us. Willy went away, to join them; but if he
had known how I should miss him in our little bed at night, he never
would have left me, I am sure.'

Yet the child could make him no answer, and sobbed as though her heart
were bursting. 'Why would you go, dear Nell? I know you would not be
happy when you heard that we were crying for your loss. They say that
Willy is in Heaven now, and that it's always summer there, and yet I'm
sure he grieves when I lie down upon his garden bed, and he cannot turn
to kiss me. But if you do go, Nell,' said the boy, caressing her, and
pressing