"Alice, sweet one," he said, "God has given you to us again." Where is that mother?
Has she heard those cheering words?
She hears them, and is gone; gone even from the side of her only one.

The soul, when there is too much joy, longs for God.

She must lay her rich burden at the mercy-seat.

Now, that mother kneels, but utters no word.

The incense of her heart knows no language and needs none; for God requires it not.