`` It must needs be pressing , since thou comest on such a bitter night . '' `` Peace be with this household ! '' said the stranger , when they stood on the floor of the inner apartment . Pearson started ; the elder Quaker stirred the slumbering embers of the fire till they sent up a clear and lofty blaze . It was a female voice that had spoken ; it was a female form that shone out , cold and wintry , in that comfortable light . `` Catharine , blessed woman , '' exclaimed the old man , `` art thou come to this darkened land again ? Art thou come to bear a valiant testimony as in former years ? The scourge hath not prevailed against thee , and from the dungeon hast thou come forth triumphant , but strengthen , strengthen now thy heart , Catharine , for Heaven will prove thee yet this once ere thou go to thy reward . '' `` Rejoice , friends ! '' she replied . `` Thou who hast long been of our people , and thou whom a little child hath led to us , rejoice ! Lo , I come , the messenger of glad tidings , for the day of persecution is over-past . The heart of the king , even Charles , hath been moved in gentleness toward us , and he hath sent forth his letters to stay the hands of the men of blood . A ship 's company of our friends hath arrived at yonder town , and I also sailed joyfully among them . '' As Catharine spoke her eyes were roaming about the room in search of him for whose sake security was dear to her . Pearson made a silent appeal to the old man , nor did the latter shrink from the painful task assigned him . `` Sister , '' he began , in a softened yet perfectly calm tone , `` thou tellest us of his love manifested in temporal good , and now must we speak to thee of that selfsame love displayed in chastenings . Hitherto , Catharine , thou hast been as one journeying in a darksome and difficult path and leading an infant by the hand ; fain wouldst thou have looked heavenward continually , but still the cares of that little child have drawn thine eyes and thy affections to the earth . Sister , go on rejoicing , for his tottering footsteps shall impede thine own no more . '' But the unhappy mother was not thus to be consoled .
She shook like a leaf ; she turned white XXXXX the very snow that hung drifted into her hair .
as at by for in of on since till to