Why need she be strong while he was strong enough for two?
But he had forgotten one thing--the day when she would have to be strong alone! The realisation came to him upon his death-bed.

Esther was sure of this.
He could not speak, but she had read the message of his eyes, the appeal to the strength in her to help the other's weakness.

No getting away from the solemn charge of that entreating look! * * * * * Esther was thinking of that look now, as she sat alone in the dusk of the veranda.

Tea was over and Aunt Amy was putting Jane to bed.

From her mother she had had no word.