"It is the visible expression of the strength you are to me.

With your help I could endure any pain.

I wonder," he went on, in a lower voice, as though thinking aloud, "if this strength of yours could inspire me to bear the worst pain there could be for me,--I mean if I had to make you suffer in any way ?" Helen looked down at him, surprised, not quite understanding.
"Suppose," he said,--"of course one can suppose anything,--that for your best good I had to make you suffer: could I, do you think ?" "I hope so," she answered gravely; "I hope I should give you strength to do it." They fell again into their contented silence, watching the firelight, and thinking tenderly each of the other.

But at last Helen roused herself from her reverie with a long, pleasant sigh of entire peace and comfort.
"John, do you know, I have reached a conclusion?
I'm not going to prayer-meeting any more." John started.

"Why, Helen!" he said, a thrill of pain in his voice.
But Helen was not at all troubled.