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women their households； young people their studies and their play；
and gave an hour to show their affection； respect； and sympathy for
those who had lost so much。
The girls had trimmed the church with all the sweetest flowers
they could find； and garlands of lilies of the valley robbed the
casket of its mournful look。 The boys had brought fresh boughs to
make the grave a green bed for their comrade's last sleep。 Now
they were all gathered together； and it was a touching sight to see
the rows of young faces sobered and saddened by their first look at
sorrow。 The girls sobbed； and the boys set their lips tightly as their
glances fell upon the lilies under which the familiar face lay full of
solemn peace。 Tears dimmed older eyes when the hymn the dead
boy loved was sung； and the pastor told with how much pride and
pleasure he had watched the gracious growth of this young
parishioner since he first met the lad of twelve and was attracted
by the shining face； the pleasant manners。 Dutiful and loving；
ready to help； patient to bear and forbear； eager to excel； faithful
to the smallest task； yet full of high ambitions； and； better still；
possessing the childlike piety that can trust and believe； wait and
hope。 Good and happythe two things we all long for and so few
of us truly are。 This he was； and this single fact was the best
eulogy his pastor could pronounce over the beloved youth gone to
a nobler manhood whose promise left so sweet a memory behind。
As the young people looked； listened； and took in the scene； they
felt as if some mysterious power had changed their playmate from
a creature like themselves into a sort of saint or hero for them to
look up to； and imitate if they could。 'What has he done； to be so
loved； praised； and mourned？〃 they thought； with a tender sort of
wonder； and the answer seemed to come to them as never before；
for never had they been brought so near the solemn truth of life
and death。 〃It was not what he did but what he was that made him
so beloved。 All that was sweet and noble in him still lives； for
goodness is the only thing we can take with us when we die； the
only thing that can comfort those we leave behind； and help us to
meet again hereafter。〃
This feeling was in many hearts when they went away to lay him；
with prayer and music； under the budding oak that leaned over his
grave； a fit emblem of the young life just beginning its new spring。
As the children did their part； the beauty of the summer day
soothed their sorrow； and something of the soft brightness of the
June sunshine seemed to gild their thoughts； as it gilded the
flower…strewn mound they left behind。 The true and touching
words spoken cheered as well as impressed them； and made them
feel that their friend was not lost but gone on into a higher class of
the great school whose Master is eternal love and wisdom。 So the
tears soon dried； and the young faces looked up like flowers after
rain。 But the heaven…sent shower sank into the earth； and they were
the stronger； Sweeter for it； more eager to make life brave and
beautiful； because death had gently shown them what it should be。
When the boys came home they found their mother already
returned； and Jill upon the parlor sofa listening to her account of
the funeral with the same quiet； hopeful look which their own
faces wore； for somehow the sadness seemed to have gone； and a
sort of Sunday peace remained。
〃I'm glad it was all so sweet and pleasant。 Come and rest； you look
so tired〃； and Jill held out her hands to greet thema crumpled
handkerchief in one and a little bunch of fading lilies in the other。
Jack sat down in the low chair beside her and leaned his head
against the arm of the sofa； for he was tired。 But Frank walked
slowly up and down the long rooms with a serious yet serene look
on his face； for he felt as if he had learned something that day； and
would always be the better for it。 Presently he said； stopping
before his mother； who leaned in the easy…chair looking up at the
picture of her boys' father；
〃I should should like to have just such things said about me when
I die。〃
〃So should I； if I deserved them as Ed did！〃 cried Jack； earnestly。
〃You may if you try。 I should be proud to hear them； and if they
were true； they would comfort me more than anything else。 I am
glad you see the lovely side of sorrow； and are learning the lesson
such losses teach us；〃 answered their mother； who believed in
teaching young people to face trouble bravely； and find the silver
lining in the clouds that come to all of us。
〃I never thought much about it before； but now dying doesn't seem
dreadful at allonly solemn and beautiful。 Somehow everybody
seems to love everybody else more for it； and try to be kind and
good and pious。 I can't say what I mean； but you know； mother〃；
and Frank went pacing on again with the bright look his eyes
always wore when he listened to music or read of some noble
action。
〃That's what Merry said when she and Molly came in on their way
home。 But Molly felt dreadfully； and so did Mabel。 She brought
me these flowers to press； for we are all going to keep some to
remember dear Ed by；〃 said Jill； carefully smoothing out the little
bells as she laid the lilies in her hymn…book； for she too had had a
thoughtful hour while she lay alone； imagining all that went on in
the church； and shedding a few tender tears over the friend who
was always so kind to her。
〃I don't want anything to remember him by。 I was so fond of him； I
couldn't forget if I tried。 I know I ought not to say it； but I don't see
why God let him die；〃 said Jack； with a quiver in his voice； for his
loving heart could not help aching still。
〃No； dear； we cannot see or know many things that grieve us very
much； but we can trust that it is right； and try to believe that all is
meant for our good。 That is what faith means； and without it we
are miserable。 When you were little； you were afraid of the dark；
but if I spoke or touched you； then you were sure all was well； and
fell asleep holding my hand。 God is wiser and stronger than any
father or mother； so hold fast to Him； and you will have no doubt
or fear； however dark it seems。〃
〃As you do；〃 said Jack； going to sit on the arm of Mamma's chair；
with his cheek to hers； willing to trust as she bade him； hut glad to
hold fast the living hand that had led and comforted him all his
life。
〃Ed used to say to me when I fretted about getting well； and
thought nobody cared for me； which was very naughty； 'Don't be
troubled； God won't forget you； and if you must be lame； He will
make you able to bear it；〃 said Jill； softly； her quick little mind all
alive with new thoughts and feelings。
〃He believed it； and that's why he liked that hymn so much。 I'm
glad they sung it to…day；〃 said Frank； bringing his heavy dictionary
to lay on the book where the flowers were pressing。
〃Oh； thank yo