Thronging the heavenly portals,
Fling out their banner of light.
Wonderful, wonderful night!"
They sang until they forgot sorrow and toil and poverty, and the great fear that overshadowed them. The soft voice of the child Dot growing stronger, and the pain in Hal's slipping away, changing into faith and trust. For, as he sung, he grew wonderfully calm, even hopeful.
"It's like heaven, children! I've been thinking it all over, and God does know best. If they were all here, it would be harder for me to go."
The two kissed each other amid fast falling tears. When they glanced up again a faint streak of dawn stole in at the window.
"How strange!" exclaimed Dot. "We have not been to bed at all, only I had a nap on your knee." Then very softly,—
"Merry Christmas, Hal."
"Merry Christmas to you, my little darling."