human
Look there now, old friend, continued the young man. At this moment the school doors were thrown open, and out poured a stream of boys and girls, tumbling one over another in their excitement, and singing gaily as they began to disperse over the green. But all suddenly stopped, for the schoolmaster made his appearance, and all clustered round him. School was over, and what was going to happen now? In former days the sight of the master would have been a signal for every boy and girl to slink out of reach of his observation; but now the master's coming was hailed with a happy shout, and the young ones vied with one another in getting near him, while the youngest clung to his dress, and all looked up at him with bright and happy smiles. Horace turned towards the old man, and marked a flush on his worn and weather-beaten features.
gpt
That's a sight worth seeing, my friend, he added;
human
I think it used not to be so.
gpt
You've never had any children of your own, it may be,
human
I've never a child now, he said in a hoarse and troubled voice,
gpt
It may be, friend, said the young man gently,
human
Ay, sir, very young, and she were all the boys and girls I ever had. She were but five year old when she died, but she died happy, poor thing. It's more nor thirty years now since she left us.
gpt
And she died happy, you say? asked Horace, deeply touched.
human
Did she know anything of her Saviour?
gpt
I believe you, replied the other earnestly,
human
Ruby drew out from his breast-pocket a large faded leathern case, and from its inmost depths brought out a small picture-book full of coloured Scripture prints. The frontispiece represented our Saviour hanging on the cross, and was much worn, as with the pressure of little fingers.
gpt
There, sir, continued the old man,
human
Suffer the little children to come to me.
gpt
And won't you follow your dear child to the better land? asked Horace kindly;
human
I don't know, I don't know, said the other gloomily;
gpt
Old friend, I am so glad we have met. Will you accept this little book from me? It will tell you better than I can all about the loving Saviour, who has taken that dear child to himself, and wants you and your wife to follow her.
human
I wish you good day, sir; maybe we shall meet again. Thank you kindly for the little book.
gpt
Farewell for the present, said Horace.
human
Yes, I believe we shall meet again,