"
"Nor parting either," sobbed Ellen, whose agitation was
excessive.
"Nor parting! — and though _we_ are parted from them, it is but
for a little; let us watch, and keep our garments clean, and
soon we shall be all together, and have done with tears for
ever. _She_ has done with them now. — Did you hear from her
again?"
"Oh, no! — not a word!"
"That is a hard trial. — But, in it all, believe, dear Ellie,
the love that God hath towards us; — remember that our dear
Saviour is near us, and feels for us, and is the same at all
times. — And don't cry so, Ellie!"
He kissed her once or twice, and begged her to calm herself.
For it seemed as if Ellen's very heart was flowing away in her
tears; yet they were gentler and softer far than at the
beginning. The conversation had been a great relief. The
silence between her and Alice on the thing always in her mind
— a silence neither of them dared to break — had grown
painful. The spell was taken off; and though, at first,
Ellen's tears knew no measure, she was easier even then; as
John soothed her, and went on with his kind talk, gradually
leading it away from their first subject to other things, she
grew not only calm, but more peaceful at heart than months had
seen her. She was quite herself again before Alice came home.
"You have done her good already," exclaimed Alice, as soon as
Ellen was out of the room; — "I knew you would; I saw it in
her face as soon as I came in.
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