Joshua Marvel

"You are as active as a girl, Maggie," said George Marvel, putting his arm round her waist, and gently detaining her by his side.

She looked down into his eyes, and for the life of her could not help the tears gathering in her own. She made no further attempts to be cheerful; and what little conversation was indulged in occurred between long intervals of silence. They had an early supper; for Joshua was to rise at daybreak. When supper was over, George Marvel took out the Bible, and in an impressive voice read from it the one hundred and seventh Psalm. They all stood round the table with bent heads, Joshua standing between his mother and Dan, clasping a hand of each. Very solemn was George Marvel's voice when he came to the twenty-third verse: -

"They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;These see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep.For He commandeth and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths; their soul is melted because of trouble.They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses.He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.Then are they glad because they be quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven."

When the reading of the Psalm was over, and they had stood silent for a little while, they raised their heads, but could scarcely see each other for the tears in their eyes. Then they kissed, and said goodnight; and Joshua, casting a wistful glance round the kitchen, every piece of furniture and crockery in which appeared to share in the general regret, assisted Dan up to his bedroom for the last time.

They had scarcely time to sit down before the handle was gently turned, and George Marvel entered. In the room were all Joshua's little household gods-his accordion, his favorite books, and his dear little feathered friends.

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