Here and there a drooping flower reminded me of the fleeting nature of mortal life.

Sometimes a shady spot taught me to look to Him who is a "shadow in the day-time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain." If a worm crept across my path, I saw an emblem of myself as I am _now_; and the winged insects, fluttering in the sunbeams, led me comparatively to reflect on what I hoped to be _hereafter_.
The capacious mansion of a rich neighbour appeared on the right hand as I walked; on my left were the cottages of the poor.

The church spire pointing to heaven a little beyond, seemed to say to both the rich and the poor, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." All these objects afforded me useful meditation; and all obtained an increased value as such, because they lay in my road to the house of little Jane.
I was now arrived at the stile nearly adjoining her dwelling.

The upper window was open, and I soon distinguished the sound of voices--I was glad to hear that of the mother.

I entered the house door unperceived by those above stairs, and sat down below, not wishing as yet to interrupt a conversation which quickly caught my ear.
"Mother! mother! I have not long to live.