"And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. . . . If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead."
She lifted her eyes and reflected on that. He drew nearer, bending over and about her.
"Molly, I'm here."
He saw her expression brighten. It was almost as if she had said, "Yes, I know."
"I want you to know, darling, that I'm not coming home."
Whatever was passing through her mind, she nodded, though no shade fell on her bright face.
"I'm well," he continued. "You must think of me as happy and as taken care of."
Again there was that nod, as if she assented to something she had heard. Presently she began to read again:
"Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, all he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."
"That enemy is destroyed, Molly. I've proved it. There's no death; there's nothing but life. There's not even a shock, or a minute of unhappiness. There's nothing but life, and then more life, and then life again. I was never so alive as I am at this instant, or so capable of doing things. Except for you, Molly, sweet one, and the baby that's coming, and the family, I wouldn't go back."