He
stood before the boy, looking into his white face in silence, and when he
spoke his voice was very husky and low.
'My lad,' he said, 'I'm very sorry for you; and I'll have the pit bricked
over at once. It had slipped my memory, Stephen; but Martha knew of it,
and she ought to have taken better care of the child. It is no fault of
mine; or it is only partly my fault, at any rate. But, whether or no, I'm
come to tell you I'm willing to bear the expenses of the funeral in
reason; and here's a sovereign for you besides, my lad.'
The master held out a glittering sovereign in his hand, but Stephen
pushed it away, and, seizing his arm firmly, drew him, reluctant as he
was, to the white-covered table in the corner. There was no look of pain
upon the pale, placid little features before them; but there was an awful
stillness, and all the light of life was gone out of the open eyes, which
were fixed into an upward gaze. The Bible, which Stephen had not looked
for that morning, had been used instead of a cushion, and the motionless
head lay upon it.
'That was little Nan yesterday,' said Stephen hoarsely; 'she is gone to
tell God all about you.
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