Lester and Elsie were thoroughly considerate, and almost every day went out together for an hour or more, leaving the little girl to perform the duties of nurse.
Then there was an interchange of confidences and endearments such as was not indulged in the presence of any third person, and Eric improved the occasion to give his darling much tender and wise fatherly counsel which he thought might be of use to her in the coming years when he would no longer be at her side.
He did not tell her of the trial that was drawing so near--the parting that would rend her heart--but she more than half suspected it, as she saw him day by day grow weaker, paler, and thinner.
But the very idea was so terrible that she put it resolutely from her, and thought and talked hopefully of the time when he would be well again.
And he could not bear to crush the hope that made her so bright and happy; but he spoke often to her of the blessedness of those who sleep in Jesus, and made her read to him the passage of Scripture which tells of the glories and bliss of heaven--of the inheritance of the saints in light--the things which "eye hath not seen nor ear heard, neither the heart of man conceived"-- the things that God hath prepared for them that love him, for them "who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.".