"Ruth threw her arms about her mother's neck and burst into a passion of tears."
"It won't matter, my girl, when we are in heaven," was the quiet and patient answer.
"But we are not in heaven, mother. We are here on this wicked, cruel earth, and it breaks my heart to see you suffer so."
"My child, the suffering is in the past. The storm has done its worst. I feel as though I couldn't worry any more. I am just going to be still and wait."
"I shall come and see you as often as I can," Ruth said, giving her mother a final hug, "and you'll not lose heart, will you?"
"No. I shall think of you and Ralph, and if there's a ray of hope anywhere I shall cherish it."
So they parted. Ruth watched her mother march away through a long corridor in charge of an attendant, watched her till a door swung and hid her from sight. Then, brushing her hand resolutely across her eyes, she turned away to face the world alone.