The snow had disappeared, and the spring, although it had
been checked for a time, now made rapid advances. Constant occupation,
and the return of fine weather, both had the effect of returning the
serenity of their minds; and while Humphrey was preparing the paling
to fix round the grave of old Jacob, Alice and Edith collected the
wild violets which now peeped forth on sheltered spots, and planted
the roots over the grave. Edward also procured all the early flowers
he could collect, and assisted his sisters in their task; and thus, in
planting it, and putting up the paling, the grave of the old man
became the constant work-ground; and when their labor was done, they
would still remain there and talk over his worth. The Sunday following
the burial, the weather being fine and warm, Edward proposed that they
should read the usual service, which had been selected by old Jacob,
at the grave, and not in the cottage, as formerly; and this they
continued afterward to do, whenever the weather would permit: thus did
old Jacob's resting-place become their church, and overpower them with
those feelings of love and devotion which gave efficacy to prayer. As
soon as the paling was finished, Humphrey put up a board against the
oak-tree, with the simple words carved on it, "Jacob Armitage.
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