“How long had you stood there?”
“I can’t guess. It felt endless! The boy could not help himself, and I was getting so cramped that I must have let go if your call had not given me just strength enough! And the tree would have come down upon us!”
“I believe it would,” muttered John.
“Mamma must thank you,” whispered Sydney, holding out her hand.
He clasped it, saying almost inwardly—
“God and His Angels were with you.”
“I hope so,” said Sydney softly.
They still held one another’s hands, seeming to need the support in the steep, grassy ascent, and there came a catch in John’s breath that made Sydney cry,
“You are not hurt?”
“That snag gave me a dig in the side, but it is nothing.”