so full of ruts, so ugly; but it is the rough plain we all must travel
to reach the shore of light. When life is over, we come to the end of
night--over there. Then we sail out on the golden sea."

"Are those islands?" asked Lewis, pointing to the suspended cloudlets.

"Yes, islands."

"D'you see that biggest one--the one with a castle and smoke and
trees?" continued Lewis. "That's the one _I'm_ going to sail to."

"Me, too," said Natalie.

"No, Natalie, you can't. Not to that one, because you're littlest. You
must sail to that littlest one 'way, 'way over there." Lewis pointed far
to the south.

Natalie shook her head solemnly.

"No. I'll sail to the big island, too."

"And you, dear?" said Mrs. Leighton to Shenton, looking down at his
motionless head. Shenton did not answer. He was held by a sudden, still,
unhealthy sleep.

Mrs. Leighton let Lewis go, pushed Natalie gently from her lap, and
gathered her first-born in her arms.

"Run to mammy, children," she said.