" But I want you to, I told you to. All this
fuss about a simple httle matter like dying is so



182 ROSE AND ROSE

ridiculous. Don't you want me to be happy in
heaven^ Julia ? "

More sobs.
" Now listen. I command you to get your
mourning. I want to see if it becomes you. Why
shouldn't I ? A young bride is allowed to see
the bridesmaids who are to follow her to the church ;
why should an old widow woman be prevented from
seeing what her chief mourner will look like ? "

Nothing, however, could get Julia to consider
death a subject matter for discussion, or as any-
thing but a gaunt, grisly, abnormal happening.
" I hope they don't insist on one's entering
heaven the very instant one dies," Mrs. O'Gorman
said at another time. " That won't suit me at all.
What I want is a really long sleep first — ^weeks
and weeks of it. What do you think, Julia, will
they be in such a hurry ? "

Poor Juha, all this was hard to bear ; but
when the old lady's soul and body did at last
part company and her will was made public, it
was found that the legacy to her faithful companion
was ten times larger than she had foreshadowed
in conversations. The poor of the village were
remembered also, and both the Roses had little
mementoes.
