Do you remember--the old time ?" What disconnected rambling was this?
Yet the girl understood it, looked into the low fire with sad, listening eyes.
"Long ago.

That was a free, strong life that opened before us then, little one,--before you and me?
Do you remember the Christmas before I went away?
I had a strong arm and a hungry brain to go out into the world with, then.

Something better, too, I had.

A purer self than was born with me came late in life, and nestled in my heart.

Margret, there was no fresh loving thought in my brain for God or man that did not grow from my love of you; there was nothing noble or kindly in my nature that did not flow into that love, and deepen there.