"I shall be helped through it," he had once said to himself, and though he knew not how he should be, yet his faith is rewarded; and his son's coming just at the dreaded time, unconsciously turned his thoughts into another channel, and lightened the gloom of his sorrow.
The day of Walter's arrival was a little uncertain, as he had not mentioned in which steamer he should sail. He had, they knew, travelled safely as far as Malta, as he had telegraphed from there, and now they were hourly expecting a second telegram to say he had landed at Southampton. For several days Nellie found herself starting, even when the postman's rap came to the door, thinking it might be the longed-for news, and every one felt excited.
About four o'clock on the afternoon of Christmas Eve, Christina and her aunt arrived, and Nellie conducted Miss Arbuthnot to the spare room, and then took Christina up to her own—a usual custom, for then the girls could talk and feel at ease, which Nellie professed she never did in the spare room.
"Oh, it is nice to have you," said she, as she kissed Christina again, and helped her to take off her things.
"Dear Nellie," Christina answered, "I am so glad to come to you all."
They had not been in the drawing room more than two or three minutes, when a rap did come to the door, and Arthur exclaimed:
"That's no postman! For it is not his time." He started up and ran down into the hall, where the telegram was put into his hand.
"It is for papa," he said, leaping up the stairs three steps at a time, "but he said we might open it."
"Arrived safely at Southampton. Hope to be with you about eight."
There was a general shout of joy; and Ada hastened to the nursery with the telegram, to tell the little ones.