I 'd rather be here alone with you in the dark than back there with them . '' Nanny sat down by the grave . The old dog lay down by her side with his forepaws on the turf and his eyes fixed on the tall white marble shaft . It was too dark for Nanny to read the inscription but she knew every word of it : `` In loving remembrance of Avis Maywood , died January 20 , 1902 , aged 45 . '' And underneath the lines of her own choosing : `` Say not good night , but in some brighter clime Bid me good morning . '' But they had forgotten her -- oh , they had forgotten her already ! When half an hour had passed , Nanny was startled by approaching footsteps . Not wishing to be seen , she crept softly behind the headstones into the shadow of the willow on the farther side , and the old dog followed . Doctor Fritz , coming to the grave , thought himself alone with the dead . He knelt down by the headstone and pressed his face against it . `` Avis , '' he said gently , `` dear Avis , I have come to visit your grave tonight because you seem nearer to me here than elsewhere . And I want to talk to you , Avis , as I have always talked to you every Christmastide since we were children together . I have missed you so tonight , dear friend and sympathizer -- no words can tell how I have missed you -- your welcoming handclasp and your sweet face in the firelight shadows . I could not bear to speak your name , the aching sense of loss was so bitter . Amid all the Christmas mirth and good fellowship I felt the sorrow of your vacant chair . Avis , I wanted to tell you what the year had brought to me . My theory has been proved ; it has made me a famous man . Last Christmas , Avis , I told you of it , and you listened and understood and believed in it . Dear Avis , once again I thank you for all you have been to me -- all you are yet . I have brought you your roses ; they are as white and pure and fragrant as your life . ''
Other footsteps came so quickly XXXXX Doctor Fritz ' retreating ones that Nanny could not rise .
Amid as behind by for in into of on with