A FOND FAREWELL. 391 



after him with wistful gaze ; Lucy and I (for a part of the 

 way) bearing him company, she seated on the saddle before 

 him, I walking by the side. The labourers returning from 

 their work to breakfast looked inquisitive as they touched their 

 hats, wondering at the object of their pastor's early sortie. 



Pew were the words, but they were very kind, which my 

 uncle said to us, and fond were the looks fond and very sad 

 with which he regarded us as we proceeded slowly along the 

 beautiful winding road, which, after passing the church, ran 

 nearly parallel with the coast to the little sea-side town from 

 whence the stage started. Pond, as I have said, more earnestly 

 , fond than usual, were all his looks and words ; but of all, none 

 were by me so well remembered as his parting injunction 

 " Take care, Frank, of your little cousin." This was given at 

 the foot of a hill between us and the town, up which he had 

 forbidden our ascent, and just as I was helping Lucy from the 

 saddle after be had given her his parting kiss. Then he kissed 

 me too. " God bless you, my boy ! God bless you, my dear 

 children \" and the pony, from habit, broke into a canter, and 

 was presently half-way up the hill. We stood in silence, 

 watching his ascent, till, the summit gained, my uncle for a 

 moment reined up, turned round, waved his hand, and dis- 

 appeared behind the eminence. 



I felt at that moment an unaccountable chill strike to mv 



w 



young heart; but I was to "take care of my little cousin/' 

 and, seeing the tears streaming down her cheeks, I began the 



