Still as a little statue, or a celestial vision printing
itself in one never-to-be-forgotten moment upon the heart of the
beholder, she stood looking at him; and Teddy dropped upon his
knees, gasping,--
"It's out of glory you've come to comfort me, darling! and God ever
bless you for the same!"
The child looked at him with her starry eyes, and slowly smiled.
"I knew you sometime," said she. "Was it in heaven ?"
"No: it's better than ever I'll be, you know, in heaven, little
sister. Are you happy there, mavourneen?" asked Teddy timidly.
"Oh! I haven't gone to heaven yet. I never could find the way," said
the child, with a troubled expression suddenly clouding her sweet
face; and then she added musingly,--
"I thought I'd get there through the river last night; but I tumbled
off the log, and only got wet: and Dora said I was naughty; and so I
had to go to bed, and not have some supper, only"--
"What's that, then!" shouted Teddy, springing to his feet, and
holding out his hands toward her, though not yet daring to approach.
" It's not the spirit of the little sister you are, but a live
child?"
"Yes, I'm alive; though, if I'd staid into the river, I wouldn't
have been, Dora says," replied Sunshine quietly.
"Oh! but the Lord in heaven look down on us this day, and keep me
from going downright mad with the joy that's breaking my heart! Is
it yourself it is, O little sister! is it yourself that's in it, and
I alive to see it?"
He was at her feet now, his white face all bathed with tears, his
trembling fingers timidly clasping her robe, his eyes raised
imploringly to those serenely bent upon him.
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