“That we would,” added his wife heartily.

“Thank you,” returned Harold, “but I have some rather urgent calls to make and hope to get mother to accompany me.  I know of no one else who can say such comforting things to the sick and depressed.”

“Nor do I,” responded Mrs. Conly.  “If I am in the least depressed, a call from her, or a chat with her, always raises my spirits; she can always show you a silver lining to the cloud, however dark it may be.”

“Yes,” said Harold, “her faith in the goodness and love of God is so strong and unwavering, and she realizes so perfectly that life in this world is short and fleeting, that which follows unending and full of bliss to all who believe in the Lord Jesus, that she is ever content with whatever Providence sends her.  I never knew a happier Christian.”

“Nor I,” said Mary.  “I only wish we were all more like her in that respect.”

“Yes,” said Calhoun, “and I believe we are every one of us the happier and better for knowing her.  I have been thinking that it will be hard for Rosie to leave such a mother.”

“That it will,” sighed Harold; “and hard for mother, and all of us indeed, to part with Rosie.  But of course the members of so large a family as ours cannot expect to remain together all through life.”

“Yes; weddings are apt to bring both joy and sorrow,” remarked Mrs. Conly reflectively; “the forming of new ties and the breaking of old ones.  One cannot altogether forget the old loves, however sweet the new may be; but when we get to the better land we may hope to have them all,” she added with an appreciative glance at her husband.  “Ah, how delightful that will be!”

There was a moment’s silence; then Harold said, “The wedding day having not been fixed yet the invitations have not been sent out, but I know mother is hoping to see your parents here at that time, Cousin Mary.”

“That is kind,” she returned with a pleased smile; “I supposed they would be invited, and that so I should have the better prospect of getting a long promised visit from them myself.  But if you invite all the relatives you will have a great many guests to entertain—­that is should all, or nearly all, accept.  However, it is more than likely that by far the larger number will feel constrained to content themselves with sending regrets, congratulations, and gifts.”

“I hope,” said Harold quickly and earnestly, “I am sure we all do—­that no one will feel called upon for that last.  I trust that will be fully understood.  The parents of both bride and groom being abundantly able to provide everything necessary or desirable, why should distant relatives and friends assist in it, perhaps at the cost of embarrassment or self-denial?”

“But you should not deny the privilege to those who are abundantly able and would feel it a pleasure,” returned Mary with playful look and tone; “which I am sure is the case with some of the relatives,” she added.