he could not say the hard word , and Frank could only answer by a nod as he winked fast , for the tears would come . Jack said no more , but as the book dropped from his knee he hid his face in the sofa-pillow and lay quite still , not crying , but trying to make it seem true that his dear Ed had gone away for ever . He could not do it , and presently turned his head a little to say , in a despairing tone , -- `` I do n't see what I shall do without him ! '' `` I know it 's hard for you . It is for all of us . '' `` You 've got Gus , but now I have n't anybody . Ed was always so good to me ! '' and with the name so many tender recollections came , that poor Jack broke down in spite of his manful attempts to smother the sobs in the red pillow . There was an unconscious reproach in the words , Frank thought ; for he was not as gentle as Ed , and he did not wonder that Jack loved and mourned for the lost friend like a brother . `` You 've got me . I 'll be good to you ; cry if you want to , I do n't mind . '' There was such a sympathetic choke in Frank 's voice that Jack felt comforted at once , and when he had had his cry out , which was very soon , he let Frank pull him up with a bear-like but affectionate hug , and sat leaning on him as they talked about their loss , both feeling that there might have been a greater one , and resolving to love one another very much hereafter . Mrs. Minot often called Frank the `` father-boy , '' because he was now the head of the house , and a sober , reliable fellow for his years . Usually he did not show much affection except to her , for , as he once said , `` I shall never be too old to kiss my mother , '' and she often wished that he had a little sister , to bring out the softer side of his character . He domineered over Jack and laughed at his affectionate little ways , but now when trouble came , he was as kind and patient as a girl ; and when Mamma came in , having heard the news , she found her `` father-boy '' comforting his brother so well that she slipped away without a word , leaving them to learn one of the sweet lessons sorrow teaches -- to lean on one another , and let each trial bring them closer together . It is often said that there should be no death or grief in children 's stories . It is not wise to dwell on the dark and sad side of these things ; but they have also a bright and lovely side , and since even the youngest , dearest , and most guarded child can not escape some knowledge of the great mystery , is it not well to teach them in simple , cheerful ways that affection sweetens sorrow , and a lovely life can make death beautiful ? I think so , therefore try to tell the last scene in the history of a boy who really lived and really left behind him a memory so precious that it will not be soon forgotten by those who knew and loved him . For the influence of this short life was felt by many , and even this brief record of it may do for other children what the reality did for those who still lay flowers on his grave , and try to be `` as good as Eddy . '' Few would have thought that the death of a quiet lad of seventeen would have been so widely felt , so sincerely mourned ; but virtue , like sunshine , works its own sweet miracles , and when it was known that never again would the bright face be seen in the village streets , the cheery voice heard , the loving heart felt in any of the little acts which so endeared Ed Devlin to those about him , it seemed as if young and old grieved alike for so much promise cut off in its spring-time .
This was proved at the funeral , for , though it took place at the busy hour of a busy day , men XXXXX their affairs , women their households , young people their studies and their play , and gave an hour to show their affection , respect , and sympathy for those who had lost so much .
Devlin Frank Gus Jack Mamma Minot escape left sofa-pillow years