The tears overflowed the housekeeper's eyes as she looked at him.

If her own love story had not been broken off at its beginning, if she had not thrown her life away, she might have had a son like that.

She would have given all that the years had in store for her, given it gladly, to have been able to open the door and bid him go.

But she was firm.
"It ain't the congregation, John," she said.

"Nor Trumet, nor your ministry.