The gates ajar. By Elizabeth Stuart Phelps.

244 The Gates Ajar.
it seemed: "At eventide there shall be light."'
Phoebe knocked presently, and I went out to
see what was wanted, and planned a little for
Auntie's breakfast, and came back.
Faith, with her little ark, was still playing
quietly upon the bed. I sat down again in
my rocking-chair with my face to the window.
Now and then the child's voice broke the
silence, asking Where should she put the elephant, and was there room there for the yellow
bird? and now and then her mother answered her, and so presently the skies had
faded, and so the night came on.
I was thinking that it was Faith's bedtime,
and that I had better light the lamp, when
a few distinct, hurried words from the bed attracted my attention.
" Faith, I think you had better kiss mamma
now, and get down."
There was a change in the voice. I was
there in a moment, and lifted the child from
the pillow, where she had crept. But she said,
"Wait a minute, Mary; wait a minute," —
for Faith clung to her, with one hand upon
her cheek, softly patting it.
I went over and stood.by the window.
It was her mother herself who gently put
the little fingers away at last.