A PARALLEL,
Mt TNT EDITOR OP TDB " EPTOTATORM SIE,—The pathetic story of the Kipling family that comes to us from the other aide of the Atlantic reminds me of one that the younger Pliny tells of Fannia, the granddaughter of Arria:
"Her husband was sick and so was her son, both of them, it was thought, to death. The son died, a singularly beautiful boy, and as good as he was beautiful. She made such arrangements for the funeral, and had the last rites so performed that her husband knew nothing of them. Whenever she came into his chamber she pretended that the boy was alive and even better. To his frequently repeated question, 'How is he ?' she would answer : He has had a good night ; he takes his food with good appetite.' When the tears long kept in check were too much for her, and would have their way, she left the room, and surrendered herself to her sorrow. When she had her fill of tears she would come back with eyes dried and features composed just as if she were leaving her bereavement outside the chamber door."
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