He hoped, he said with gravity, that they were well.
There seemed to be nothing else that either of them could think of to say; and presently, helped by the rest their words gave her, Madam Melcombe recovered her self-possession.
"Son Dan'el," she said, "my time must be short now; and I have sent for you and your brother to ask a favour of you.

I could not lie easy in my grave," she continued, "if I thought there would be nobody of all my children to _follow me_.

I have none but poor Peter's daughter and grandson here now, and I hope you and Augustus and your sons will come to my funeral.

I hope you'll promise me faithfully, both of you, that you'll certainly come and follow me to the grave." A silence followed.

The disappointment of both the sons was evident.
They had hoped, the younger remarked, that she might have had something else to say.
No, she had not, she answered.