THE KAA'DALL FAMILY 219
Startled and confused. But she promised to send for me, and said several times she felt better for my coming. After a dinner of special little dainties (she insists on that), John read Part III. of the ' Metamorphoses of Longing.' I came home at ten. Dear, dear old friends ! "
The next I heard from either — I was kept by inexorable duties from going again meanwhile to Roxbury — was this note from Miss Randall : —
Monday Morning, 5 O'clock, Dear Frank, J^^'^ ^5, 1892.
My poor brother passed away at about 4:15 this morn- ing (I of an hour ago). Two or three days ago he said he should undoubtedly be out in a few days. His disease was bronchial pneumonia. At first, two or three days ago, he lost the use of his limbs, but came down stairs, and was lifted about, and then helped up to bed. To-day came pneumonia, and he has said no word to-day, and died without pain, it is supposed.
I can say no more now. Come and see us.
Yours sincerely,
B. L. Randall.
"Should undoubtedly be out in a few days" — how true that was ! Truer than speaker or hearer dreamed ! What mortal man can gauge the depth of that truth }
On Thursday, January 28, a small company gathered at the house. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Dr. Edward Everett Hale, and all that could die of John Witt Randall was laid to rest at Mount Auburn. Three of us. Miss Randall with Miss O'Reilly and myself, followed him together in one carriage, at her own request, to the family tomb.
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