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 ."