There, that comforts me; I feel as if I _were_ a child again, and had a dear brother;--and I _shall_ be a child again soon, Eric, in the courts of a Father's house." Eric could not speak.

These words startled him; he never dreamt _recently_ of Russell's death, but had begun to reckon on his recovery, and now life seemed darker to him than ever.
But Russell was pressing the flowers to his lips.

"The grass withereth," he murmured, "the flower fadeth, and the glory of its beauty perisheth; but--_but_ the word of the Lord endureth for ever." And here he too burst into natural tears, and Eric pressed his hand, with more than a brother's fondness, to his heart.
"Oh Eddy, Eddy, my heart is full," he said, "too full to speak to you.
Let me read to you;" and with Russell's arm round his neck he sat down, beside his pillow, and read to him about "the pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." At first sobs choked his voice, but it gathered firmness as he went on.
"In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
"And there shall be no more curse"-- and here the reader's musical voice rose into deeper and steadier sweetness--"but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him; and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads." "And they shall see his face," murmured Russell, "_and they shall see his face_" Eric paused and looked at him; a sort of rapture seemed to be lighted in his eyes, as though they saw heavenly things, and his countenance was like an angel's to look upon.

Eric closed the book reverently, and gazed.
"And now pray for me, Eric, will you ?" Eric knelt down, but no prayer would come; his breast swelled; and his heart beat fast, but emotion prevented him from uttering a word.

But Russell laid his hand on his head and prayed.
"O gracious Lord God, look down, merciful Father on us, two erring, weak, sinful boys; look down and bless us, Lord, for the love thou bearest unto thy children.