I love to think you were , but I wanted to see you . You were always there to come home to before , Avis , dear . '' Sobbing , she went away ; and then came Margaret , the grave , strong Margaret . `` Dear cousin , dear to me as a sister , it seemed to me that I must come to you here tonight . I can not tell you how much I miss your wise , clear-sighted advice and judgment , your wholesome companionship . A little son was born to me this past year , Avis . How glad you would have been , for you knew , as none other did , the bitterness of my childless heart . How we would have delighted to talk over my baby together , and teach him wisely between us ! Avis , Avis , your going made a blank that can never be filled for me ! '' Margaret was still standing there when the old people came . `` Father ! Mother ! Is n't it too late and chilly for you to be here ? '' `` No , Margaret , no , '' said the mother . `` I could n't go to my bed without coming to see Avis 's grave . I brought her up from a baby -- her dying mother gave her to me . She was as much my own child as any of you . And oh ! I miss her so . You only miss her when you come home , but I miss her all the time -- every day ! ''
`` We all miss her , XXXXX , '' said the old father , tremulously .
Avis Father Margaret Mother advice blank companionship day heart none