Page:Swedenborg, Harbinger of the New Age of the Christian Church.djvu/286

 Swedenborg was cared for in later life by his gardener and wife. Of these good friends this pleasant story is told by one who paid them a visit after their employer's decease. As they themselves told him—

"One day the old man and the old woman, the modest gardener-folks [who had been disturbed by meddling neighbors] dressed in their holiday suits, entered Swedenborg's silent study, the room with the brown panel-paintings, the gable windows, and a view out on the lilac bushes.

"Swedenborg sat with his head resting upon both hands, poring over a large book. Surprised by the unusual noise, he raised his head and looked toward the door. There stood the good gardener-folks, though but the middle of the week, both dressed in their holiday clothes, bowing and curtseying. On Swedenborg's grave but cheerful countenance, there played an inquiring smile.

"'Why dressed up so, Andersson and Margaret? ' he said. 'What do you want? '

"This was not in truth easy to say, and, instead of an answer, Margaret began to cry, and her husband crushed his hat into a thousand wrinkles, and