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for an old man - a weary, weary life - but there is a great end to gain
and that I keep before me.'
Seeing that he was in a state of excitement and impatience, I turned
to put on an outer coat which I had thrown off on entering the room,
purposing to say no more. I was surprised to see the child standing
patiently by with a cloak upon her arm, and in her hand a hat, and
stick.
'
'
'
'
'
'
Those are not mine, my dear,' said I.
No,' returned the child, 'they are grandfather's.'
But he is not going out to-night.'
Oh, yes, he is,' said the child, with a smile.
And what becomes of you, my pretty one?'
Me! I stay here of course. I always do.'
I looked in astonishment towards the old man, but he was, or feigned
to be, busied in the arrangement of his dress. From him I looked back
to the slight gentle figure of the child. Alone! In that gloomy place all
the long, dreary night.
She evinced no consciousness of my surprise, but cheerfully helped
the old man with his cloak, and when he was ready took a candle to
light us out. Finding that we did not follow as she expected, she
looked back with a smile and waited for us. The old man showed by
his face that he plainly understood the cause of my hesitation, but he
merely signed to me with an inclination of the head to pass out of the
room before him, and remained silent. I had no resource but to
comply.
When we reached the door, the child setting down the candle, turned
to say good night and raised her face to kiss me. Then she ran to the
old man, who folded her in his arms and bade God bless her.
'
Sleep soundly, Nell,' he said in a low voice, 'and angels guard thy bed!
Do not forget thy prayers, my sweet.'
'
No, indeed,' answered the child fervently, 'they make me feel so
happy!'
'
That's well; I know they do; they should,' said the old man. 'Bless thee
a hundred times! Early in the morning I shall be home.'
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