Ethel! if you can only let me help you."

"Thank you," said Ethel with all her heart, and hurried away. Nothing
was more in favour of Miss Bracy, than that there should be a hurry.
Then she could be warm, and not morbid.

Dr. May gathered his children round him, and took out the great
Prayer-book. He read a psalm and a prayer from the Burial Service, and
the sentence for funerals at sea. Then he touched each of their heads,
and, in short broken sentences, gave thanks for those still left to him,
and for the blessed hope they could feel for those who were gone; and he
prayed that they might so follow in their footsteps, as to come to the
same holy place, and in the meantime realise the Communion of Saints.
Then they said the Lord's Prayer, he blessed them, and they arose.

"Mary, my dear," he said, "you have a photograph."

She put the case into his hands, and ran away.

He went to the study, where he found Dr. Spencer awaiting him.

"I am only come to know where I shall go for you."

"Thank you, Spencer. Thank you for taking care of my poor girls."

"They took care of themselves. They have the secret of strength."

"They have--" He turned aside, and burst out, "Oh, Spencer! you have
been spared a great deal. If you missed a great deal of joy, you have
missed almost as much sorrow!" And, covering his face, he let his grief
have a free course.

"Dick! dear old Dick, you must bear up. Think what treasures you have
left."

"I do. I try to do so," said poor Dr. May; "but, Spencer, you never saw
my yellow-haired laddie, with his lion look! He was the flower of them
all! Not one of these other boys came near him in manliness, and with
such a loving heart! An hour ago, I thought any certainty would be gain,
but now I would give a lifetime to have back the hope that I might see
my boy's face again! Oh, Spencer! this is the first time I could rejoice
that his mother is not here!"

"She would have been your comforter," sighed his friend, as he felt his
inability to contend with such grief.

"There, I can be thankful," Dr. May said, and he looked so. "She has
had her brave loving boy with her all this time, while we little
thought--but there are others. My poor Margaret--"

"Her patience must be blessed," said Dr. Spencer. "I think she will be
better. Now that the suspense no longer preys on her, there will be more
rest."

"Rest," repeated Dr. May, supporting his head on his hand; and, looking
up dreamily--"there