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say that Willy is in Heaven now, and that it's always summer there,
and yet I'm sure he grieves when I lie down upon his garden bed, and
he cannot turn to kiss me. But if you do go, Nell,' said the boy,
caressing her, and pressing his face to hers, 'be fond of him for my
sake. Tell him how I love him still, and how much I loved you; and
when I think that you two are together, and are happy, I'll try to bear
it, and never give you pain by doing wrong - indeed I never will!'
The child suffered him to move her hands, and put them round his
neck. There was a tearful silence, but it was not long before she
looked upon him with a smile, and promised him, in a very gentle,
quiet voice, that she would stay, and be his friend, as long as Heaven
would let her. He clapped his hands for joy, and thanked her many
times; and being charged to tell no person what had passed between
them, gave her an earnest promise that he never would.
Nor did he, so far as the child could learn; but was her quiet
companion in all her walks and musings, and never again adverted to
the theme, which he felt had given her pain, although he was
unconscious of its cause. Something of distrust lingered about him
still; for he would often come, even in the dark evenings, and call in a
timid voice outside the door to know if she were safe within; and being
answered yes, and bade to enter, would take his station on a low stool
at her feet, and sit there patiently until they came to seek, and take
him home. Sure as the morning came, it found him lingering near the
house to ask if she were well; and, morning, noon, or night, go where
she would, he would forsake his playmates and his sports to bear her
company.
'
'
And a good little friend he is, too,' said the old sexton to her once.
When his elder brother died - elder seems a strange word, for he was
only seven years old - I remember this one took it sorely to heart.'
The child thought of what the schoolmaster had told her, and felt how
its truth was shadowed out even in this infant.
'
'
It has given him something of a quiet way, I think,' said the old man,
though for that he is merry enough at times. I'd wager now that you
and he have been listening by the old well.'
'
Indeed we have not,' the child replied. 'I have been afraid to go near it;
for I am not often down in that part of the church, and do not know
the ground.'
'
Come down with me,' said the old man. 'I have known it from a boy.
Come!'
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