"For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed
them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters, and
God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."
"He preaches sermons sometimes," said Sally, nudging Mr. Davis,
as they rose from their knees at last. "I make no doubt there was
as grand a sermon in yon paper-book as ever we hear in church.
I've heard him pray uncommon fine--quite beyond any but learned
folk."
Mr. Bradshaw had been anxious to do something to testify his
respect for the woman, who, if all had entertained his opinions,
would have been driven into hopeless sin. Accordingly, he ordered
the first stonemason of the town to meet him in the chapel-yard
on Monday morning, to take measurement and receive directions for
a tombstone. They threaded their way among the grassy heaps to
where Ruth was buried, in the south corner, beneath the great
Wych-elm. When they got there, Leonard raised himself up from the
new-stirred turf. His face was swollen with weeping; but, when he
saw Mr. Bradshaw, he calmed himself, and checked his sobs, and,
as an explanation of being where he was when thus surprised, he
could find nothing to say but the simple words--
"My mother is dead, sir."
His eyes sought those of Mr. Bradshaw with a wild look of agony,
as if to find comfort for that great loss in human sympathy; and
at the first word--the first touch of Mr. Bradshaw's hand on his
shoulder--he burst out afresh.
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