There was a sudden "Hush!" from several of them. Yes, it was a cab at last stopping at the house; then everybody hurried to the door, and crowded down the stairs while Walter was being admitted, Miss Arbuthnot even going to the landing, and Christina and Tom were left alone.
He did not attempt to speak to her, and it was only a moment of intense bustle of arrival in the hall, before a quick light step was heard on the stairs, and Walter was once more with Christina, whom he had so longed to see.
When they could settle down to anything of quiet, after Arthur and he had helped in the carrying up of his heavy packages, all felt the blank in their midst.
Walter looked round the room with a sudden realization of what he had known and expected. His eyes met his father's, and both understood each other's thoughts.
Then Dr. Arundel spoke to them all, gravely and lovingly:
"My dears," he said, "we are all on a journey, travelling homewards. Those we love are only a little way on in front of us; they have reached home. They would have waited for us, but our heavenly Father called them, and told them to pass on first. It can only be a little while before we follow them; and meanwhile the same Father bids us do our work cheerfully, contentedly, hopefully, leaving us this promise always close to us:
"'Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.'
"We will thank Him for His goodness in bringing Walter home, and thus cheering our hearts."
When they rose from their knees, he kissed them all round, and telling them he should be with them again presently, went to his study.
That night, when all had retired, Walter sought his father, who told him the history of those last months.