Oh, Grandad, I wouldn't have hurt you for all the world, yet I had to let you know why I could not do what you had planned--and I was fool enough to think I could justify myself to you!" The old eyes still blazed upon him with a look of sorrow and of horror that was yet, first of all, a look of power; the look of one who had mastered himself to speak calmly while enduring uttermost pain.
"I am glad you have spoken.

You were honest to do so.

It was my error not to be convinced at first, and thus save myself a shock I could ill bear.
But you have been sick, and I felt that I should not believe without seeing you.

I had built so much--so many years--on your preaching the gospel of--of my Saviour.

This hope has been all my life these last years--now it is gone.