Presently she continued, "But, Davie, this isn't heaven yet! And I'm concerned just now about helping myself to live the rest of this life the best way I can. I can knit like a machine and I like to knit socks——"
The remainder was left unsaid for the strong arms of her boy surrounded her and held her close while his lips were pressed upon her forehead.
"Such a mother," he breathed, as if the touch of her forehead bestowed a benediction upon him. "Such a mother!"
In the morning he brought the news to the Metz farmhouse.
"Blind?" Phœbe cried.
David nodded.
"Blind! Mother Bab blind? Oh, it's too awful!"
"My goodness," Aunt Maria said with genuine sorrow, "now that's too bad! Her blind and you goin' off to war soon!"
"I'm going up to see her," said Phœbe, and went off with David.
Mother Bab heard the girl's step and called gaily, "Phœbe, is that you? I declare, it sounds like you!"