"After a while, when--well, when
I'm dead. And I only mean a beginning, to help you toward what
HAS to be. Only a month; I don't want to seem hard to you; but
that's little, in all conscience. Give me your word: say, `For
mother's sake!'"
There was a long pause. Then David and Jonathan said, in low,
faltering voices, "For mother's sake, I promise."
"Remember that you were only boys to her. She might have made all
this seem easier, for women have reasons for things no man can
answer. Mind, within a year after I'm gone!"
He rose and tottered out of the room.
The twins looked at each other: David said, "Must we?" and
Jonathan, "How can we?" Then they both thought, "It may be a long
while yet." Here was a present comfort, and each seemed to hold it
firmly in holding the hand of the other, as they fell asleep side
by side.
The trial was nearer than they imagined. Their father died before
the winter was over; the farm and other property was theirs, and
they might have allowed life to solve its mysteries as it rolled
onwards, but for their promise to the dead.
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