"So He was, and is; I do not forget that, dears."
"Several homes have been offered to me, and I have been waiting to see where God would let me go."
"To us, I hope," said Tom, earnestly.
"Your father and mother have been most kind, and not least in allowing me time to decide, so as to do nothing in a hurry."
"Mother is far from strong," said Rose. "I know she would be very glad if you were never to leave us—"
"But you and Jean will be able to help her in a year or two," said Aunt Ruth, "what then?"
"Time enough for that," said downright Tom, "and if you're right in coming to us now, when the next step comes, you'll be able to see it! Eh, auntie?"
She smiled happily, and bent forward to kiss his forehead, as he knelt before her.
"I've got hopes that in a year or two, there may be several things altered," he said, decidedly.
Aunt Ruth looked earnestly at him. "What do you mean, dear?"