"If you please, ma'am, the young ladies are in the hall, they and Master Ruffie have seen—"
Justin turned sharply round with an exclamation of impatience.
Anstice said with her happy laugh: "Ruffie has sent them down to bring you up, Justin. They are not in bed yet. What a state of delight he must be in! Come along!"
She led the way into the house.
Josie and Georgie in their blue dressing-gowns stood in the hall. Their notion of proprieties had prevented them straying farther.
"Oh, Dad, we're not asleep. Ruffie is having his milk and biscuits, and he wants—he wants you at once."
Justin's brow was smooth again.
He stooped and kissed them.
"I see well you're not asleep," he said, then he sped up the stairs, and the next moment had his boy in his arms. Ruffie, laying his soft cheek against his father's tanned one, whispered:
"God has answered me much quicker this time. Oh, Dad—I b'lieve I've just prayed and prayed you back, till you couldn't keep away any longer!"