th a fan-shaped
outpouring of his rays which streamed up over one hemisphere of the
heavens, painting the edges of myriads of small fleecy clouds with a
transient crimson splendour. The sea was almost glass-like in its
calmness, only heaving up and down sluggishly, as though reluctant to be
moved in its mighty depths. But, further out, a gentle breeze was
filling the snowy sail of some graceful cutter as it stole across the
bay, or steadily swelled out the canvas of some stately ship as she sped
on with all sail crowded on her towards the desired harbour.

Just a few minutes before noon, Amos, with beating heart, saw his friend
the physician conducting two ladies to a sunny bench on the edge of the
shingles, facing the open sea. "Let us go," he said to his brother and
sister, "and walk near them, but take no notice at first." So they all
repaired to the beach, and with deeply anxious hearts drew near the
little group. Which of the two ladies was their mother? One of them
would probably be the physician's wife. They neared the sitters, and
passed on in front of them slowly, arm in arm. Who would have thought
that mother and children, who had not met for years, were now so close
to one another, and yet must for a while remain severed still? As the
three on foot were passing the bench, Amos just bowed his head to the
physician, and then looked at his two lady companions; and so did his
brother and sister. There could not be a moment's doubt--the children
knew their mother at once. The dear familiar face was there, and not
materially changed. And did the mother know her children? Something
told her that they were beings in whom she had an interest; she saw in
them something familiar. Yet she had not at all as yet grasped their
relation to her with a realising consciousness.

"Pass on," said the physician softly; and they passed on. A look of
bewilderment and pain came over the face of the afflicted lady as the
three walked forward. She followed them eagerly with her eyes. They
turned towards her again, walking slowly back, and her face at once
lighted up with a smile. "Sit down near us," whispered the physician to
Amos, as he came up close to him, and all three sat on the sloping bank
not many feet away from the bench. Oh, how the heart of Amos ached with
yearning to throw his arms round his mother's neck; but he knew that it
must not be yet. Julia and Walter also found it hard to restrain their
impetuo