You must look to this, and see that her heart does not grow heavy among these solemn ruins.

Your request is granted, friend.' After more kind words, they withdrew, and repaired to the child's house; where they were yet in conversation on their happy fortune, when another friend appeared.
This was a little old gentleman, who lived in the parsonage-house, and had resided there (so they learnt soon afterwards) ever since the death of the clergyman's wife, which had happened fifteen years before.

He had been his college friend and always his close companion; in the first shock of his grief he had come to console and comfort him; and from that time they had never parted company.

The little old gentleman was the active spirit of the place, the adjuster of all differences, the promoter of all merry-makings, the dispenser of his friend's bounty, and of no small charity of his own besides; the universal mediator, comforter, and friend.

None of the simple villagers had cared to ask his name, or, when they knew it, to store it in their memory.