"It is Hal, I know. Oh! take me back in your midst: for only yesterday I buried my little baby; and I know now the sense of loss that I entailed upon you."
They all crowded round her then. Not one had forgotten darling Flossy. Kisses and fond clasps. They were so glad to take her into their circle.
"This is Joe," she said, "and Kit, and Dot. O Charlie! to see you all once more! and to have you all alive! For I have been haunted with a terrible fear lest some of you might have fallen out of the old home-chain. Not a break, thank God!"
Then she brought them to her husband. Oh, how wild she had been when she fancied that she might be ashamed of them!—this group of brave, loving faces, full of the essential elements of nobility.
Ah, Florence, if you had known all their deeds of simple heroism!
Charlie helped her take off her wrappings. She had not changed greatly, except to grow older and more womanly.
"Granny has been ill!" she exclaimed in quick alarm.
"Yes, nearly all winter. But she is better now. O Flossy, I am so glad you came to-day!" and Hal's soft eyes swam in tears.
"It was Christmas. I could not help thinking of the dear old Christmas when we were all together. O Hal! if you could know all my shame and sorrow!"
"Joe," said Granny feebly, "will you take me back to bed? I'm tired again. I'm a poor old body at the best. Then you can come and sit round me."