I thought it unnatural, and an ill omen,
at the time. Now I do not. There is obviously a deep spiritual link
between you, such as I felt at times with my own husband. It is not
for us to question God's gifts," she concluded, "but only to use them
as well and honestly as we can."
"That is why I came when I did," the man confirmed. "I knew that you
were hurting and afraid. Somehow I knew."
"But the man in your grave," Mary persisted. "You gave another man
your coat. . .I remember they would not let me see the body. But
surely that was not enough, of itself, to mistake him for you."
"I'm afraid I must take the blame for that," said the woman sadly.
"The body, when it was brought to me for identification, was so
mangled by grapeshot. . .the face nothing but a bloody pulp. . .that
I'm ashamed to say I lost my self-control. Knowing that Michael's
papers had been found on him, I went into such a swoon of grief.....
Our poor countrymen who brought him could only assume that he was, in
fact, my son. The coffin was brought and sealed, and the next day we
buried him, along with all my hopes.
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