two, William and Maud, will be
the happiest of all the children."

He smiled, looked after them for a minute, and then laid himself
quietly down on his back along the slope, his eyes still directed
towards the sunset. When, brightening as it descended, the sun shone
level upon the place where we were sitting, I saw John pull his broad
straw hat over his face, and compose himself, with both hands clasped
upon his breast, in the attitude of sleep.

I knew he was very tired, so I spoke no more, but threw my cloak over
him. He looked up, thanked me silently, with his old familiar smile.
One day--one day I shall know him by that smile! I sat half an hour or
more watching the sun, which sank steadily, slowly, round, and red,
without a single cloud. Beautiful, as I had never before seen it; so
clear, that one could note the very instant its disc touched the
horizon's grey.

Maud and Mr. Ravenel were coming up the slope. I beckoned them to come
softly, not to disturb the father. They and I sat in silence, facing
the west. The sun journeyed down to his setting--lower--lower; there
was a crescent, a line, a dim sparkle of light; then--he was gone. And
still we sat--grave, but not sad--looking into the brightness he had
left behind; believing, yea, knowing, we should see his glorious face
again to-morrow.

"How cold it has grown," said Maud. "I think we ought to wake my
father."

She went up to him, laid her hand upon his, that were folded together
over the cloak--drew back startled--alarmed.

"Father!"

I put the child aside. It was I who moved the hat from John's
face--THE face--for John himself was far, far away. Gone from us unto
Him whose faithful servant he was. While he was sleeping thus the
Master had called him.

His two sons carried him down the slope. They laid him in the upper
room in Mrs. Tod's cottage. Then I went home to tell his wife.

* * * * *

She was at last composed, as we thought, lying on her bed, death-like
almost, but calm. It was ten o'clock at night. I left her with all
her children watching round her.

I went out, up to Rose Cottage, to sit an hour by myself alone, looking
at him whom I should not see again for--as he had said--"a little
while."

"A little while--a little while." I comforted myself with those words.
I fancied I could almost hear John saying them, standing near me, with
his hand on my shoulder. John himself