That done, she would kiss him, and leave him: she had her own work to do.

Filled with prayer she would walk steadily back the well-known way to the shop, where, all day long, ministering with gracious service to the wants of her people, she would know the evening and its service drawing nearer and nearer, when Joseph would come, and the delights of heaven would begin afresh at home, in music, and verse, and trustful talk.

Every day was a life, and every evening a blessed death--type of that larger evening rounding our day with larger hope.
But many Christians are such awful pagans that they will hardly believe it possible a young loving pair should think of that evening, except with misery and by rare compulsion! That morning, as they went, they talked--thus, or something like this: "O Mary!" said Joseph, "hear the larks! They are all saying: 'Jo-seph! Jo-seph! Hearkentome, Joseph! Whatwouldyouhavebeenbutfor Ma-ry, Jo-seph ?' That's what they keep on singing, singing in the ears of my heart, Mary!" "You would have been a true man, Joseph, whatever the larks may say." "A solitary melody, praising without an upholding harmony, at best, Mary!" "And what should I have been, Joseph?
An inarticulate harmony--sweetly mumbling, with never a thread of soaring song!" A pause followed.
"I shall be rather shy of your father, Mary," said Joseph.

"Perhaps he won't be content with me." "Even if you weren't what you are, my father would love you because I love you.

But I know my father as well as I know you; and I know you are just the man it must make him happy afresh, even in heaven, to think of his Mary marrying.