"Do you remember how we used to lie on the grass in your father's garden,and how we never could catch the sunset except in fragments between the abbey trees!I wonder if they keep the yew hedge clipped as round as ever."I told him Edwin had said to-day that some strange tenants were going to make an inn of the old house,and turn the lawn into a bowling-green.
"What a shame!I wish I could prevent it.And yet,perhaps not,"he added,after a silence."Ought we not rather to recognise and submit to the universal law of change?How each in his place is fulfilling his day,and passing away,just as that sun is passing.Only we know not whither he passes;while whither we go we know,and the Way we know--the same yesterday,to-day,and for ever."Almost before he had done speaking--(God grant that in the Kingdom Imay hear that voice,not a tone altered--I would not wish it altered even there)--a whole troop of our young people came out of Mrs.Tod's cottage,and nodded to us from below.
There was Mrs.Edwin,standing talking to the good old soul,who admired her baby-boy very much,but wouldn't allow there could be any children like Mrs.Halifax's children.
There was Edwin,deep in converse with his brother Guy,while beside them--prettier and younger-looking than ever--Grace Oldtower was making a posy for little Louise.
Further down the slope,walking slowly,side by side,evidently seeing nobody but one another,were another couple.
"I think,sometimes,John,that those 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,quite distinct from that which lay so still before me;beautiful as nothing but death can be,younger much than he had looked this very morning--younger by twenty years.
Farewell,John!Farewell,my more than brother!It is but for a little while.