She looked up and smiled. There was something so loving and holy in
his face, that the child could not help smiling, even through her
tears.

"Mary, listen to me while I can speak, for in a little while I shall
be gone."

"Not to the hospital again--oh, not there!"

"No, Mary, not there; but look up--be strong, my child, you know what
death is!"

"Oh, yes," whispered the child with a shudder.

"Hush, Mary, hush--don't shake so--I must die, very, very soon, I
feel," he added, looking at his fingers and dropping them gently back
to her shoulder; "I feel now that it is very nigh, this death which
makes you tremble so."

Mary broke forth into a low, wailing sob.

"Hush! stop crying, Mary; look up!"

Mary lifted her eyes, filled with touching awe, and choked back the
agony of her grief.

"Father, I listen."

Oh, the holy love with which those eyes looked down into hers!