These are wicked thoughts which haunt me--only the agitation of this dreadful day, which imagination has overwrought.

Rise up and be strong! Go to thy children," said she, "and read in their eyes that he can never leave thee!" Forcing herself to composure, she sought her children; found Louisa humming and singing her little boy to sleep, and her daughter nodding, on a low stool at her feet.
"Come, my child, I will put you to sleep," said the mother, lifting her in her arms.

"Your mother will make your bed softly.

When you sleep and speak with the angels, intercede for us all." With tender care she undressed her and bore her gently in her arms to her bed, and, kneeling before it, breathed a prayer over her sleeping child; then bent over the cradle of her son, blessing and kissing him.
"Sleep my boy, sleep.

I know not that I shall ever see thy beautiful eyes open again--whether I shall ever again press thee to my heart.