In the Days of the Comet Read online

  Section 2

  Dear heart! There remained for her but a very brief while in thisworld that had been renewed. I did not know how short that timewould be, but the little I could do--perhaps after all it was notlittle to her--to atone for the harshness of my days of wrath andrebellion, I did. I took care to be constantly with her, for Iperceived now her curious need of me. It was not that we had ideasto exchange or pleasures to share, but she liked to see me at table,to watch me working, to have me go to and fro. There was no toilfor her any more in the world, but only such light services asare easy and pleasant for a worn and weary old woman to do, and Ithink she was happy even at her end.

  She kept to her queer old eighteenth century version of religion,too, without a change. She had worn this particular amulet solong it was a part of her. Yet the Change was evident even in thatpersistence. I said to her one day, "But do you still believe inthat hell of flame, dear mother? You--with your tender heart!"

  She vowed she did.

  Some theological intricacy made it necessary to her, but still------

  She looked thoughtfully at a bank of primulas before her for a time,and then laid her tremulous hand impressively on my arm. "You know,Willie, dear," she said, as though she was clearing up a childishmisunderstanding of mine, "I don't think any one will GO there. Inever DID think that. . . ."