She went on: 'And oh, my dear, you will not grieve that she is not a son to carry on your name ?' And then a sudden light came into her eyes; and there was exultation in her weak voice as she said: 'She is to be our only one; let her be indeed our son! Call her the name we both love!' For answer he rose and laid his hand very, very tenderly on the babe as he said: 'This dear one, my sweet wife, who will carry your soul in her breast, will be my son; the only son I shall ever have.

All my life long I shall, please Almighty God, so love her--our little Stephen--as you and I love each other!' She laid her hand on his so that it touched at once her husband and her child.

Then she raised the other weak arm, and placed it round his neck, and their lips met.

Her soul went out in this last kiss..