"Yes,weought,butsomehowwedon'tseemtogetupmuchsteamaboutitlately。Ifmorepeoplebelonged,andwecouldhaveagrandtimenowandthen,itwouldbejolly";andJacksighedatthelackofinterestfeltbyoutsidersintheloyallittleLodgewhichwentonyearafteryearkeptupbythefaithfulfew。
　　"IrememberwheninthisverytownweusedtohaveaColdWaterArmy,andinthesummerturnoutwithprocessions,banners,andbandsofmusictomarchabout,andendwithapicnic,songs,andspeechesinsomegroveorhall。Nearlyallthechildrenbelongedtoit,andtheparentsalso,andwehadfinetimesheretwenty—fiveorthirtyyearsago。"
　　"Itdidn'tdomuchgood,seemstome,forpeoplestilldrink,andwehaven'tadecenthotelintheplace,"saidFrank,ashismothersatlookingoutofthewindowasifshesawagainthepleasantsightofoldandyoungworkingtogetheragainstthegreatenemyofhomepeaceandsafety。
　　"Ohyes,itdid,mydear;fortothisdaymanyofthosechildrenaretruetotheirpledge。Onelittlegirlwas,Iamsure,andnowhastwobigboystofightforthereformshehasupheldallherlife。Thetownisbetterthanitwasinthosedays,andifweeachdoourpartfaithfully,itwillimproveyetmore。Everyboyandgirlwhojoinsisonegained,perhaps,andyourexampleisthebesttemperancelectureyoucangive。Holdfast,anddon'tmindifitisn't'jolly':itisright,andthatshouldbeenoughforus。"
　　Mammaspokewarmly,forsheheartilybelievedinyoungpeople'sguardingagainstthisdangerousvicebeforeitbecameatemptation,andhopedherboyswouldneverbreakthepledgetheyhadtaken;for,youngastheywere,theywereoldenoughtoseeitsworth,feelitswisdom,andpridethemselvesonthepromisewhichwasfastgrowingintoaprinciple。Jack'sfacebrightenedashelistened,andFranksaid,withthesteadylookwhichmadehisfacemanly,"Itshallbe。NowI'lltellyouwhatIwasgoingtokeepasasurprisetillto—night,forIwantedtohavemysecretaswellasotherfolks。
　　EdandIwentuptoseeBob,Sunday,andhesaidhe'djointheLodge,ifthey'dhavehim。I'mgoingtoproposehimto—night。"
　　"Good！good！"criedJack,joyfully,andMrs。Minotclappedherhands,foreverynewmemberwasrejoicedoverbythegoodpeople,whowerenotdiscouragedbyridicule,indifference,oropposition。
　　"We'vegothimnow,fornoonewillobject,anditisjustthethingforhim。Hewantstobelongsomewhere,hesays,andhe'llenjoythefun,andthegoodthingswillhelphim,andwewilllookafterhim,TheCaptainwassopleased,andyououghttohaveseenEd'sfacewhenBobsaid,'I'mready,ifyou'llhaveme。"
　　Frank'sownfacewasbeaming,andJackforgotto"gobble,"hewassointerestedinthenewConvert,whileMammasaid,asshethrewdownhernapkinandtookupthenewspaper,"Wemustnotforgetour'Observer,'buthaveagoodonetonightinhonoroftheoccasion。Theremaybesomethinghere。Comehomeearlyatnoon,andI'llhelpyougetyourpaperready。"
　　"I'llbehere,butifyouwantFrank,you'dbettertellhimnottodawdleoverAnnette'sgatehalfanhour,"beganJack,whocouldnotresistteasinghisdignifiedbrotheraboutoneofthefewfoolishthingshewasfondofdoing。
　　"Doyouwantyournosepulled？"demandedFrank,whoneverwouldstandjokingonthattenderpointfromhisbrother。
　　"No,Idon't;andifIdid,youcouldn'tdoit";withwhichtaunthewasoffandFrankafterhim,havingmadeafutilediveattheimpertinentlittlenosewhichwasturnedupathimandhissweetheart。
　　"Boys,boys,notthroughtheparlor！"imploredMamma,resignedtoskirmishes,buttremblingforherpianolegsasthefourstoutbootsprancedaboutthetableandthenwentthunderingdownthehail,throughthekitchenwherethefatcookcheeredthemon,andMary,themaid,triedtoheadoffFrankasJackrushedoutintothegarden。Butthepursuerduckedunderherarmandgavechasewithallspeed。Thentherewasagloriousraceallovertheplace;forbothweregoodrunners,and,beingasfullofspringvigorasfriskycalves,theydidastonishingthingsinthewayofleapingfences,dodgingroundcorners,andmakinggoodtimedownthewidewalks。
　　ButJack'slegwasnotquitestrongyet,andhefeltthathisroundnosewasindangerofavengefultweakashisbreathbegantogiveoutandFrank'slongarmsdrewnearerandnearertothethreatenedfeature。Justwhenhewasabouttogiveupandmeethisfatelikeaman,oldBunny,whohadbeenmuchexcitedbytherace,camescamperingacrossthepathwithsuchadrollskipintotheairandshakeofthehindlegsthatFrankhadtododgetoavoidsteppingonhim,andtolaughinspiteofhimself。ThismomentarycheckgaveJackachancetoboltupthebackstairsandtakerefugeintheBirdRoom,fromthewindowofwhichJillhadbeenwatchingtheracewithgreatinterest。
　　Norompingwasallowedthere,soatrucewasmadebylockinglittlefingers,andbothsatdowntogettheirbreath。
　　"Iamtogoonthepiazza,foranhour,byandby,Doctorsaid。
　　Wouldyoumindcarryingmedownbeforeyougotoschool,youdoitsonicely,I'mnotabitafraid,"saidJill,aseagerforthelittlechangeasifithadbeenalongandvariedjourney。
　　"Yes,indeed！Comeon,Princess,"answeredJack,gladtoseehersowellandhappy。
　　Theboysmadeanarm—chair,andawayshewent,forapleasantdaydownstairs。ShethankedFrankwithaposyforhisbuttonhole,wellknowingthatitwouldsoonpassintootherhands,andhedepartedtojoinAnnette。HavingtoldJillaboutBob,andsethertoworkonthe"Observer,"Jackkissedhismother,andwentwhistlingdownthestreet,agaylittlebachelor,withanodandsmileforallhemet,andnoturned—uphatorjauntyturbanbobbingalongbesidehimtodelayhisstepsortroublehispeaceofmind。
　　Atnoontheyworkedontheirpaper,whichwasacollectionofitems,cutfromotherpapers,concerningtemperance,afewanecdotes,abitofpoetry,astory,and,ifpossible,anoriginalarticlebytheeditor。Manyhandsmakelightwork,andnothingremainedbutalittlecopying,whichJillpromisedtodobeforenight。Sotheboyshadtimeforagameoffootballafterschoolintheafternoon,whichtheymuchenjoyed。Astheysatrestingontheposts,Gussaid,"UncleFredsayshewillgiveusahay—cartrideto—night,asitismoony,andafterityouarealltocometoourhouseandhavegames。
　　"Can'tdoit,"answeredFrank,sadly。
　　"Lodge,"groanedJack,forbothconsideredadriveinthecart,wheretheyallsatinamerrybunchamongthehay,oneofthejoysoflife,andmuchregrettedthatapriorengagementwouldpreventtheirsharinginit。
　　Thatsapity！IforgotitwasTuesday,andcan'tputitoff,asI'veaskedalltherest。GiveupyouroldLodgeandcomealong,"saidGus,whohadnotjoinedyet。
　　"Wemightforonce,perhaps,butIdon'tliketo"——beganJack,hesitating。
　　"Iwon't。Who'stoproposeBobifwedon't？Iwanttogoawfully;
　　butIwouldn'tdisappointBobforagooddeal,nowheiswillingtocome。"AndFranksprangoffhispostasifanxioustofleetemptation,foritwasverypleasanttogosinging,uphillanddowndale,inthespringmoonlight,with——well,thefellowsofhisset。
　　"NorEd,Iforgotthat。No,wecan'tgo。WewanttobeGoodTemplars,andwemustn'tshirk,"addedJack,followinghisbrother。
　　"Bettercome。Can'tputitoff。Lotsoffun,"calledGus,disappointedatlosingtwoofhisfavoritemates。
　　Buttheboysdidnotturnback,andastheywentsteadilyawaytheyfeltthattheyweredoingtheirlittlepartinthegoodwork,andmakingtheirsmallsacrifices,likefaithfulmembers。
　　Theygottheirreward,however,forathometheyfoundMr。
　　Chauncey,agoodandgreatman,fromEngland,whohadknowntheirgrandfather,andwasanhonoredfriendofthefamily。Theboyslovedtohearhimtalk,andalltea—timelistenedwithinteresttotheconversation,forMr。Chaunceywasareformeraswellasafamousclergyman,anditwaslikeinspiringmusictohearhimtellabouttheworld'swork,andthebravemenandwomenwhowerecarryingiton。Eagertoshowthattheyhad,atleast,begun,theboystoldhimabouttheirLodge,andwereimmenselypleasedwhentheirguesttookfromhispocket—bookawornpaper,provingthathetoowasaGoodTemplar,andbelongedtothesamearmyastheydid。Norwasthatall,forwhentheyreluctantlyexcusedthemselves,Mr。Chaunceygaveeachahearty"grip,"andsaid,holdingtheirhandsinhis,ashesmiledattheyoungfaceslookingupathimwithsomuchloveandhonorinthem,"TellthebrothersandSistersthatifIcanservetheminanywaywhilehere,tocommandme。IwillgivethemalectureattheirLodgeorinpublic,whichevertheylike;andIwishyouGod—speed,dearboys。"
　　TwoprouderladsneverwalkedthestreetsthanFrankandJackastheyhurriedaway,nearlyforgettingthepoorlittlepaperintheirhastetotellthegoodnews;foritwasseldomthatsuchanofferwasmadetheLodge,andtheyfeltthehonordonethemasbearersofit。
　　Asthesecretsoftheassociationcannotbedivulgedtotheuninitiated,wecanonlysaythattherewasgreatrejoicingoverthenewmember,forBobwasunanimouslywelcomed,andmuchgratitudebothfeltandexpressedforMr。Chauncey'sinterestinthissmalldivisionofthegrandarmy;forthesegoodfolkmetwithlittlesympathyfromthegreatpeopleofthetown,anditwasverycheeringtohaveawell—knownandmuch—belovedmansayawordforthem。Allagreedthatthelectureshouldbepublic,thatothersmightsharethepleasurewiththem,andperhapsbeconvertedbyahighereloquencethananytheypossessed。
　　Sotheservicesthatnightwereunusuallyfullofspiritandgoodcheer;forallfelttheinfluenceofafriendlyword,thebeautyofafineexample。Thepaperwasmuchapplauded,thesongswereveryhearty,andwhenFrank,whoseturnitwastobechaplain,readtheclosingprayer,everyonefeltthattheyhadmuchtogivethanksfor,sinceonemorehadjoinedthem,andtheworkwasslowlygettingonwithunexpectedhelperssenttolendahand。Thelightsshoneoutfromthelittlehallacrossthestreet,themusicreachedtheearsofpassers—by,andthebusyhumofvoicesuptheretoldhowfaithfullysome,atleast,ofthevillagerstriedtomakethetownasaferplacefortheirboystogrowupin,thoughthetavernstillhaditsprivatebarandthesaloon—doorstoodopentoinvitethemin。
　　Therearemanysuchquietlodges,andinthemmanyyoungpeoplelearningastheseladswerelearningsomethingofthedutytheyowedtheirneighborsaswellasthemselves,andbeingfittedtobecomegoodmenandsobercitizensbypractisingandpreachingthelawandgospeloftemperance。
　　ThenextnightMr。Chaunceylectured,andthetownturnedouttohearthedistinguisheiman,whonotonlytoldthemofthecrimeandmiseryproducedbythisterriblevicewhichafflictedbothEnglandandAmerica,butofthegreatcrusadeagainstitgoingoneverywhere,andtheneedofcourage,patience,hardwork,andmuchfaith,thatintimeitmightbeovercome。Strongandcheerfulwordsthatalllikedtohearandmanyheartilybelieved,especiallytheyoungTemplars,whoseboyishfancieswerewonbytheideaoffightingasknightsofolddidinthefamouscrusadestheyreadaboutintheirsplendidnewyoungfolks'editionofFroissart。
　　"Wecan'tpitchintopeopleastheRedCrossfellowsdid,butwecansmashrum—jugswhenwegetthechance,andstandbyourflagasourmendidinthewar,"saidFrank,withsparklingeyes,astheywenthomeinthemoonlightarminarm,keepingstepbehindMr。
　　Chauncey,wholedthewaywiththeirmotheronhisarm,amartialfigurethoughaminister,andagoodcaptaintofollow,astheboysfeltafterhearinghisstirringwords。
　　"Let'stryandgetupacompanyofboyslikethosemothertoldusabout,andshowpeoplethatwemeanwhatwesay。I'llbecolor—bearer,andyoumaydrillusasmuchasyoulike。ArealColdWaterArmy,withflagsflying,anddrums,andallsortsoflarks,"
　　saidJack,muchexcited,andtakingadramaticviewofthematter。
　　"We'llseeaboutit。Somethingoughttobedone,andperhapsweshallbethementodoitwhenthetimecomes,"answeredFrank,feelingreadytoshoulderamusketorbeaminute—maningoodearnest。
　　Boyishtalkandenthusiasm,butitwasoftherightsort;andwhentimeandtraininghadfittedthemtobeararms,theseyoungknightswouldbeworthytoputontheredcrossandrideawaytohelprightthewrongsandslaythedragonsthatafflicttheworld。
　　Chapter20ASweetMemoryNowthelovelyJunedayshadcome,everythingbegantolookreallysummer—like;schoolwouldsoonbeover,andtheyoungpeoplewerejoyfullypreparingforthelongvacation。
　　"WeareallgoinguptoBethlehem。Wetaketheseashoreoneyearandthemountainsthenext。Bettercomealong,"saidGus,astheboyslayonthegrassafterbeatingtheLincoinsatoneofthefirstmatchesoftheseason。
　　"Can't;weareofftoPebblyBeachthesecondweekinJuly。Ourinvalidsneedseaair。Thatonelooksdelicate,doesn'the？"askedFrank,givingJackaslightrapwithhisbatasthatyounggentlemanlayinhisusualattitudeadmiringthebluehoseandrussetshoeswhichadornedhissturdylimbs。
　　"Stopthat,Captain！Youneedn'ttalkaboutinvalids,whenyouknowmothersaysyouarenottolookatabookforamonthbecauseyouhavestudiedyourselfthinandheadachy。I'mallright";andJackgavehimselfasoundingslaponthechest,whereshonethewhitestaroftheH。B。B。C。
　　"Hearthelittlecockerelcrow！youjustwaittillyougetintothecollegeclass,andseeifyoudon'thavetostudylikefun,"saidGus,withunruffledcomposure,forhewasgoingtoHarvardnextyear,andfelthimselfalreadyaSenior。
　　"Nevershall;Idon'twantanyofyouroldcolleges。I'mgoingintobusinessassoonasIcan。EdsaysImaybehisbook—keeper,ifI
　　amreadywhenhestartsforhimself。Thatismuchjollierthangrindingawayforfouryears,andthenhavingtogrindeversomanymoreataprofession,"saidJack,examiningwithinterestthevariousknocksandbruiseswithwhichmuchball—playinghadadornedhishands。
　　"Muchyouknowaboutit。Justaswellyoudon'tmeantotry,foritwouldtakeamightylongpullandstrongpulltogetyouin。
　　Businesswouldsuityoubetter,andyouandEdwouldmakeacapitalpartnership。Devlin,Minot,&Co。soundswell,hey,Gus？"
　　"Very,buttheyaresuchgood—naturedchaps,they'dnevergetrich。
　　Bytheway,Edcamehomeatnoontodaysick。Imethim,andhelookedregularlyknockedup,"answeredGus,inasobertone。
　　"Itoldhimhe'dbetternotgodownMonday,forhewasn'twellSaturday,andcouldn'tcometosingSundayevening,youremember。Imustgorightroundandseewhatthematteris";andJackjumpedup,withananxiousface。
　　"Lethimalonetillto—morrow。Hewon'twantanyonefussingoverhimnow。Wearegoingforapull;comealongandsteer,"saidFrank,forthesunsetpromisedtobefine,andtheboyslikedabriskrowintheirnewlypaintedboat,the"Rhodora。"
　　"Goaheadandgetready,I'lljustcutroundandaskatthedoor,Itwillseemkind,andImustknowhowEdis。Won'tbelong";andJackwasoffathisbestpace。
　　Theotherswerewaitingimpatientlywhenhecamebackwithslowerstepsandamoreanxiousface。
　　"Howistheoldfellow？"calledFrankfromtheboat,whileGusstoodleaningonanoarinanauticalattitude。
　　"Prettysick。Hadthedoctor。Mayhaveafever。Ididn'tgoin,butEdSenthislove,andwantedtoknowwhobeat,"answeredJack,steppingtohisplace,gladtorestandcoo1himself。
　　"Guesshe'llbeallrightinadayortwo";andGuspushedoff,leavingallcarebehind。
　　"Hopehewon'thavetyphoid——that'snojoke,Itellyou,"saidFrank,whoknewallaboutit,anddidnotcaretorepeattheexperience。
　　"He'sworkedtoohard。He'ssofaithfulhedoesmorethanhisshare,andgetstiredout。Motheraskedhimtocomedownandseeuswhenhehashisvacation;wearegoingtohavehigholdtimesfishingandboating。Upordown？"askedJack,astheyglidedoutintotheriver。
　　Guslookedbothways,andseeinganotherboatwithaglimpseofredinitjustgoingroundthebend,answered,withdecision,"Up,ofcourse。Don'twealwayspulltothebridge？"
　　"Notwhenthegirlsaregoingdown,"laughedJack,whohadrecognizedJuliet'sscarletboating—suitasheglancedoverhisshoulder。
　　"Mindwhatyouareabout,anddon'tgabble,"commandedCaptainFrank,asthecrewbenttotheiroarsandtheslenderboatcutthroughthewaterleavingalongfurrowtremblingbehind。
　　"Oh,ah！Isee！Thereisabluejacketaswellasaredone,soit'sallright。
　　"LadyQueenAnne,shesitsinthesun,Aswhiteasalily,asbrownasabun,"
　　sungJack,recoveringhisspirits,andwishingJillwastheretoo。
　　"Doyouwantaducking？"sternlydemandedGus,anxioustopreservediscipline。
　　"Shouldn'tmind,itssowarm。"
　　ButJacksaidnomore,andsoonthe"Rhodora"wasalongsidethe"WaterWitch,"exchanginggreetingsinthemostamiablemanner。
　　"Pitythisboatwon'tholdfour。We'dputJackinyours,andtakeyougirlsanicespinuptotheHemlocks,"saidFrank,whoseideaofblisswasfloatingdowntheriverwithAnnetteascoxswain。
　　"You'dbettercomeinhere,thiswillholdfour,andwearetiredofrowing,"returnedthe"WaterWitch,"soinvitinglythatGuscouldnotresist。
　　"Idon'tthinkitissafetoputfourinthere。You'dbetterchangeplaceswithAnnette,Gus,andthenweshallbeship—shape,"saidFrank,answeringatelegramfromtheeyesthatmatchedthebluejacket。
　　"Wouldn'titbemoreship—shapestillifyouputmeashoreatGrif'slanding？Icantakehisboat,orwaittillyoucomeback。Don'tcarewhatI'do,"saidJack,feelinghimselfsadlyintheway。
　　Thegood—naturedofferbeingacceptedwiththanks,thechangesweremade,and,leavinghimbehind,thetwoboatswentgaylyuptheriver。Hereallydidnotcarewhathedid,sosatinGrif'sboatawhilewatchingtheredsky,theshiningstream,andthelowgreenmeadows,wheretheblackbirdsweresingingasiftheytoohadmettheirlittlesweetheartsandwerehappy。
　　Jackrememberedthatquiethalf—hourlongafterward,becausewhatfollowedseemedtoimpressitonhismemory。Ashesatenjoyingthescene,heverynaturallythoughtaboutEd;forthefaceofthesisterwhomhesawwasveryanxious,andtheword"fever"
　　recalledthehardtimeswhenFrankwasill,particularlythenightitwasthoughttheboywouldnotlivetilldawn,andJackcriedhimselftosleep,wonderinghowheevercouldgetonwithouthisbrother。Edwasalmostasdeartohim,andthethoughtthathewassufferingdestroyedJack'spleasureforalittlewhile。But,fortunately,youngpeopledonotknowhowtobeanxiousverylong,soourboysooncheeredup,thinkingaboutthelatematchbetweentheStarsandtheLincoins,andafteragoodrestwentwhistlinghome,withahandfulofmintforMrs。Pecq,andplayedgameswithJillasmerrilyasiftherewasnosuchthingascareintheworld。
　　NextdayEdwasworse,andforaweektheanswerwasthesame,whenJackcrepttothebackdoorwithhiseagerquestion。
　　Otherscamealso,forthedearboylyingupstairshadfriendseverywhere,andolderneighborsthoughtofhimevenmoreanxiouslyandtenderlythanhismates。Itwasnotfever,butsomeswiftertrouble,forwhenSaturdaynightcame,EdhadgonehometoalongerandmorepeacefulSabbaththananyhehadeverknowninthisworld。
　　Jackhadbeenthereintheafternoon,andakindmessagehadcomedowntohimthathisfriendwasnotsufferingsomuch,andhehadgoneaway,hoping,inhisboyishignorance,thatalldangerwasover。Anhourlaterhewasreadingintheparlor,havingnoheartforplay,whenFrankcameinwithalookuponhisfacewhichwouldhavepreparedJackforthenewsifhehadseenit。Buthedidnotlookup,andFrankfounditsohardtospeak,thathelingeredamomentatthepiano,asheoftendidwhenhecamehome。Itstoodopen,andontherackwasthe"JollyBrothers'
　　Galop,"whichhehadbeenlearningtoplaywithEd。Bigboyashewas,thesuddenthoughtthatneveragainwouldtheysitshouldertoshoulder,thunderingthemarchesorsingingthesongsbothlikedsowell,madehiseyesfillashelaidawaythemusic,andshuttheinstrument,feelingasifheneverwantedtotouchitagain。ThenhewentandsatdownbesideJackwithanarmroundhisneck,tryingtosteadyhisvoicebyanaturalquestionbeforehetoldtheheavynews。
　　"Whatareyoureading,Jacky？"
　　Theunusualcaress,theverygentletone,madeJacklookup,andtheminutehesawFrank'sfaceheknewthetruth。
　　"IsEd————？"hecouldnotsaythehardword,andFrankcouldonlyanswerbyanodashewinkedfast,forthetearswouldcome。Jacksaidnomore,butasthebookdroppedfromhiskneehehidhisfaceinthesofa—pillowandlayquitestill,notcrying,buttryingtomakeitseemtruethathisdearEdhadgoneawayforever。Hecouldnotdoit,andpresentlyturnedhisheadalittletosay,inadespairingtone,"Idon'tseewhatIshalldowithouthim！"
　　"Iknowit'shardforyou。Itisforallofus。"
　　"You'vegotGus,butnowIhaven'tanybody。Edwasalwayssogoodtome！"andwiththenamesomanytenderrecollectionscame,thatpoorJackbrokedowninspiteofhismanfulattemptstosmotherthesobsintheredpillow。
　　Therewasanunconsciousreproachinthewords,Frankthought;
　　forhewasnotasgentleasEd,andhedidnotwonderthatJacklovedandmournedforthelostfriendlikeabrother。
　　"You'vegotme。I'llbegoodtoyou;cryifyouwantto,Idon'tmind。
　　TherewassuchasympatheticchokeinFrank'svoicethatJackfeltcomfortedatonce,andwhenhehadhadhiscryout,whichwasverysoon,heletFrankpullhimupwithabear—likebutaffectionatehug,andsatleaningonhimastheytalkedabouttheirloss,bothfeelingthattheremighthavebeenagreaterone,andresolvingtoloveoneanotherverymuchhereafter。
　　Mrs。MinotoftencalledFrankthe"father—boy,"becausehewasnowtheheadofthehouse,andasober,reliablefellowforhisyears。Usuallyhedidnotshowmuchaffectionexcepttoher,for,asheoncesaid,"Ishallneverbetoooldtokissmymother,"andsheoftenwishedthathehadalittlesister,tobringoutthesoftersideofhischaracter。HedomineeredoverJackandlaughedathisaffectionatelittleways,butnowwhentroublecame,hewasaskindandpatientasagirl;andwhenMammacamein,havingheardthenews,shefoundher"father—boy"comfortinghisbrothersowellthatsheslippedawaywithoutaword,leavingthemtolearnoneofthesweetlessonssorrowteaches——toleanononeanother,andleteachtrialbringthemclosertogether。
　　Itisoftensaidthatthereshouldbenodeathorgriefinchildren'sstories。Itisnotwisetodwellonthedarkandsadsideofthesethings;buttheyhavealsoabrightandlovelyside,andsinceeventheyoungest,dearest,andmostguardedchildcannotescapesomeknowledgeofthegreatmystery,isitnotwelltoteachtheminsimple,cheerfulwaysthataffectionsweetenssorrow,andalovelylifecanmakedeathbeautiful？Ithinkso,thereforetrytotellthelastsceneinthehistoryofaboywhoreallylivedandreallyleftbehindhimamemorysopreciousthatitwillnotbesoonforgottenbythosewhoknewandlovedhim。Fortheinfluenceofthisshortlifewasfeltbymany,andeventhisbriefrecordofitmaydoforotherchildrenwhattherealitydidforthosewhostilllayflowersonhisgrave,andtrytobe"asgoodasEddy。
　　Fewwouldhavethoughtthatthedeathofaquietladofseventeenwouldhavebeensowidelyfelt,sosincerelymourned;butvirtue,likesunshine,worksitsownsweetmiracles,andwhenitwasknownthatneveragainwouldthebrightfacebeseeninthevillagestreets,thecheeryvoiceheard,thelovingheartfeltinanyofthelittleactswhichsoendearedEdDevlintothoseabouthim,itseemedasifyoungandoldgrievedalikeforsomuchpromisecutoffinitsspring—time。Thiswasprovedatthefuneral,for,thoughittookplaceatthebusyhourofabusyday,menlefttheiraffairs,womentheirhouseholds,youngpeopletheirstudiesandtheirplay,andgaveanhourtoshowtheiraffection,respect,andsympathyforthosewhohadlostsomuch。
　　Thegirlshadtrimmedthechurchwithallthesweetestflowerstheycouldfind,andgarlandsofliliesofthevalleyrobbedthecasketofitsmournfullook。Theboyshadbroughtfreshboughstomakethegraveagreenbedfortheircomrade'slastsleep。Nowtheywereallgatheredtogether,anditwasatouchingsighttoseetherowsofyoungfacessoberedandsaddenedbytheirfirstlookatsorrow。Thegirlssobbed,andtheboyssettheirlipstightlyastheirglancesfellupontheliliesunderwhichthefamiliarfacelayfullofsolemnpeace。Tearsdimmedoldereyeswhenthehymnthedeadboylovedwassung,andthepastortoldwithhowmuchprideandpleasurehehadwatchedthegraciousgrowthofthisyoungparishionersincehefirstmettheladoftwelveandwasattractedbytheshiningface,thepleasantmanners。Dutifulandloving;
　　readytohelp;patienttobearandforbear;eagertoexcel;faithfultothesmallesttask,yetfullofhighambitions;and,betterstill,possessingthechildlikepietythatcantrustandbelieve,waitandhope。Goodandhappy——thetwothingswealllongforandsofewofustrulyare。Thishewas,andthissinglefactwasthebesteulogyhispastorcouldpronounceoverthebelovedyouthgonetoanoblermanhoodwhosepromiseleftsosweetamemorybehind。
　　Astheyoungpeoplelooked,listened,andtookinthescene,theyfeltasifsomemysteriouspowerhadchangedtheirplaymatefromacreaturelikethemselvesintoasortofsaintorheroforthemtolookupto,andimitateiftheycould。'Whathashedone,tobesoloved,praised,andmourned？"theythought,withatendersortofwonder;andtheanswerseemedtocometothemasneverbefore,forneverhadtheybeenbroughtsonearthesolemntruthoflifeanddeath。"Itwasnotwhathedidbutwhathewasthatmadehimsobeloved。Allthatwassweetandnobleinhimstilllives;forgoodnessistheonlythingwecantakewithuswhenwedie,theonlythingthatcancomfortthoseweleavebehind,andhelpustomeetagainhereafter。"
　　Thisfeelingwasinmanyheartswhentheywentawaytolayhim,withprayerandmusic,underthebuddingoakthatleanedoverhisgrave,afitemblemoftheyounglifejustbeginningitsnewspring。
　　Asthechildrendidtheirpart,thebeautyofthesummerdaysoothedtheirsorrow,andsomethingofthesoftbrightnessoftheJunesunshineseemedtogildtheirthoughts,asitgildedtheflower—strewnmoundtheyleftbehind。Thetrueandtouchingwordsspokencheeredaswellasimpressedthem,andmadethemfeelthattheirfriendwasnotlostbutgoneonintoahigherclassofthegreatschoolwhoseMasteriseternalloveandwisdom。Sothetearssoondried,andtheyoungfaceslookeduplikeflowersafterrain。Buttheheaven—sentshowersankintotheearth,andtheywerethestronger,Sweeterforit,moreeagertomakelifebraveandbeautiful,becausedeathhadgentlyshownthemwhatitshouldbe。
　　Whentheboyscamehometheyfoundtheirmotheralreadyreturned,andJillupontheparlorsofalisteningtoheraccountofthefuneralwiththesamequiet,hopefullookwhichtheirownfaceswore;forsomehowthesadnessseemedtohavegone,andasortofSundaypeaceremained。
　　"I'mgladitwasallsosweetandpleasant。Comeandrest,youlooksotired";andJillheldoutherhandstogreetthem——acrumpledhandkerchiefinoneandalittlebunchoffadingliliesintheother。
　　Jacksatdowninthelowchairbesideherandleanedhisheadagainstthearmofthesofa,forhewastired。ButFrankwalkedslowlyupanddownthelongroomswithaseriousyetserenelookonhisface,forhefeltasifhehadlearnedsomethingthatday,andwouldalwaysbethebetterforit。Presentlyhesaid,stoppingbeforehismother,wholeanedintheeasy—chairlookingupatthepictureofherboys'father,"IshouldshouldliketohavejustsuchthingssaidaboutmewhenIdie。"
　　"SoshouldI,ifIdeservedthemasEddid！"criedJack,earnestly。
　　"Youmayifyoutry。Ishouldbeproudtohearthem,andiftheyweretrue,theywouldcomfortmemorethananythingelse。Iamgladyouseethelovelysideofsorrow,andarelearningthelessonsuchlossesteachus,"answeredtheirmother,whobelievedinteachingyoungpeopletofacetroublebravely,andfindthesilverlininginthecloudsthatcometoallofus。
　　"Ineverthoughtmuchaboutitbefore,butnowdyingdoesn'tseemdreadfulatall——onlysolemnandbeautiful。Somehoweverybodyseemstoloveeverybodyelsemoreforit,andtrytobekindandgoodandpious。Ican'tsaywhatImean,butyouknow,mother";