"And anything but that will not do," he said gently and gravely.
They stood now at the edge of the waves, the spray almost touching their feet, and they were both silent. Walter knew it would be of little use to hurry or distress her, and yet he wanted her to understand that this hope was very near to his heart. At last he told her so, and Christina stood listening, not knowing what to answer.
"Say you will think of it, dear Christina," were his final words.
"I have undertaken my children," she said, hesitating.
"I know; but three years is a long time, and we can provide for them then, if—"
"If I could ever think of such a thing; but I do not think I ever can."
"No need to say now," he said earnestly; "we can pray about it, dear Christina; and you know I speak truthfully when I say that I would not wish to do it, if it were not His will."
"Oh, yes!" said Christina.
They turned homewards now without further speech.
Walter's feelings were very mingled, and he did not seem to have gained as much as he wanted.