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They descended the narrow steps which led into the crypt, and paused
among the gloomy arches, in a dim and murky spot.
'
This is the place,' said the old man. 'Give me your hand while you
throw back the cover, lest you should stumble and fall in. I am too old
I mean rheumatic - to stoop, myself.'
-
'
'
A black and dreadful place!' exclaimed the child.
Look in,' said the old man, pointing downward with his finger.
The child complied, and gazed down into the pit.
'
'
'
It looks like a grave itself,' said the old man.
It does,' replied the child.
I have often had the fancy,' said the sexton, 'that it might have been
dug at first to make the old place more gloomy, and the old monks
more religious. It's to be closed up, and built over.'
The child still stood, looking thoughtfully into the vault.
'
We shall see,' said the sexton, 'on what gay heads other earth will
have closed, when the light is shut out from here. God knows! They'll
close it up, next spring.'
'
The birds sing again in spring,' thought the child, as she leaned at
her casement window, and gazed at the declining sun. 'Spring! a
beautiful and happy time!'
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