But that bright sun had set now, and all around was gloom.

Slowly she swayed herself to and fro hour after hour in her chair, as one by one these memories came back to her--came, and went, and came again.
On Rotha the care of the household had fallen.

The young girl had sat long by the old dame overnight, holding her hand and speaking softly to her between the outbursts of her own grief.

She had whispered something about brave sons who would yet be her great stay, and then the comforter herself had needed comfort and her voice of solace had been stilled.

When the daylight came in at the covered windows, Rotha rose up unrefreshed; but with a resolute heart she set herself to the duties that had dropped so unexpectedly upon her.