CHAPTER IX 101
" I came to see you, Helen: I heard you were very ill, and I could not sleep till I had spoken to you."
" You came to bid me good-bye, then: you are just in time probably." " Are you going somewhere, Helen? Are you going home?" " Yes; to my long home-- my last home."
" No, no, Helen!" I stopped, distressed. While I tried to devour my tears, a fit of coughing seized Helen; it did not, however, wake the nurse; when it was over, she lay some minutes exhausted; then she whispered-
" Jane, your little feet are bare; lie down and cover yourself with my quilt."
I did so: she put her arm over me, and I nestled close to her. After a long silence, she resumed, still whispering-
" I am very happy, Jane; and when you hear that I am dead, you must be sure and not grieve: there is nothing to grieve about. We all must die one day, and the illness which is removing me is not painful; it is gentle and gradual: my mind is at rest. I leave no one to regret me much: I have only a father; and he is lately married, and will not miss me. By dying young, I shall escape great sufferings. I had not qualities or talents to make my way very well in the world: I should have been continually at fault."
" But where are you going to, Helen? Can you see? Do you know?" " I believe; I have faith: I am going to God." " Where is God? What is God?"
" My Maker and yours, who will never destroy what He created. I rely implicitly on His power, and confide wholly in His goodness: I count the hours till that eventful one arrives which shall restore me to Him, reveal Him to me."