Miss Meriko, a daughter of Mr.Fukumatu Tagawa, was lying next to me.Darling Meri was praying all through the night. She was a first year student of our school. That little girl, aged 13, repeated the hym to the Holy Virgin through the night.
Ave Maria gratia plena,
Ora pro nobis peccatoribus,
Ora pro nobis nunc
Et in hora mortis nostrae,
Ave Maria, Amen!
During the pray, she often vomited a lump of blood which looks like a black cotton ball. There was no lamp. She passed away, praying in darkness. Her voice was that from a prayer, not from a patient who complains of pain.
All thirty-eight children died there while they were singing a sacred song. Their last time was beautiful and noble. Their fathers and mothers were watching this scene, and told me, "My daughter passed the most beautiful last time. I appreciate it."
Christians of Nagasaki were marvelous. I was convinced that my policy of education for ten years was correct. Further we should glitter - - -.