“I say the same to you, too, Rosie and Walter, my Elsie’s children,” she added, turning to them with a tenderly affectionate look and smile.

They gazed upon her with awe for a moment; then Rosie said, “You don’t look so very old, Aunt Wealthy; not older than some ladies of eighty that I’ve seen.”

“Perhaps not older than I did when I was only eighty, my dear; but I am glad to know that I am a good deal nearer home now than I was then,” Miss Stanhope responded, her face growing bright with joyous anticipation.

“Are you really glad to know you must die before very long?” asked Max, in wonder and surprise.

“Wouldn’t it be strange if I were not?” she asked; “heaven is my home.

“’There my best friends, my kindred dwell, There God my Saviour reigns.’

“I live in daily, hourly longing expectation of the call.”

“And yet you are not weary of life? you are happy here, are you not, dear Aunt Wealthy?” asked Mrs. Keith.

“Yes, Marcia; I am happy among my kind relatives and friends; and entirely willing to stay till the Master sees fit to call me home, for I know that His will is always best.  Oh, the sweet peace and joy of trusting in Him and leaving all to His care and direction!  Who that has experienced it could ever again want to choose for him or herself?”

“And you have been long in His service, Aunt Wealthy?” Mr. Dinsmore said, half in assertion, half inquiringly.

“Since I was ten years old, Horace; and that is ninety years; and let me bear testimony now, before you all, that I have ever found Him faithful to His promises, and His service growing constantly sweeter and sweeter.  And so it shall be to all eternity.  ’My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.’”

Then turning to Mrs. Keith, “How is it with you, Marcia?” she asked; “you have attained to your four-score years, and have been in the service since early childhood.  What have you to say for your Master now?”

“Just what you have said, dear aunt; never have I had cause to repent of choosing His service; it has been a blessed service to me, full of joy and consolation—­joy that even abounds more and more as I draw nearer and nearer to my journey’s end.

“I know it is the same with my husband,” she added, giving him a look of wifely affection; “and I doubt not with my cousins—­Horace, Rose, Elsie—­with all here present who have had experience as soldiers and servants of Jesus Christ.”

“In that you are entirely right, Marcia,” responded Mr. Dinsmore; “I can speak for myself, my wife, and daughter.”

Both ladies gave an unqualified confirmation of his words, while their happy countenances testified to the truth of the assertion.

“And, Milly dear, you and your husband, your brothers and sisters, can all say the same,” remarked Miss Stanhope, laying her withered hand affectionately upon Mrs. Landreth’s arm as she sat in a low seat by her side.