pass away out of the toil, the weariness, the
grief, and disappointment which had burdened
her on earth, ever since the child was lost. He
therefore repressed his sorrow, and listened to
her last words.
"Dearest Cadmus," said she, "thou hast been
the truest son that ever mother had, and faithful
to the very last. Who else would have borne
with my infirmities as thou hast! It is owing
to thy care, thou tenderest child, that my grave
was not dug long years ago, in some valley or
on some hillside, that lies far, far behind us. It
is enough. Thou shalt wander no more on this
hopeless search. But, when thou hast laid thy
mother in the earth, then go, my son, to Delphi,
and inquire of the oracle what thou shalt do
next."
"O mother, mother," cried Cadmus, "couldst
thou but have seen my sister before this hour!"
"It matters little now," answered Telephassa,
and there was a smile upon her face. "I go
now to the better world, and, sooner or later, shall
find my daughter there."
I will not sadden you, my little hearers, with
telling how Telephassa died and was buried, but
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p134