She put the case into his hands, and ran away.
He went to the study, where he found Dr. Spencer awaiting him.
“I am only come to know where I shall go for you.”
“Thank you, Spencer. Thank you for taking care of my poor girls.”
“They took care of themselves. They have the secret of strength.”
“They have—” He turned aside, and burst out, “Oh, Spencer! you have been spared a great deal. If you missed a great deal of joy, you have missed almost as much sorrow!” And, covering his face, he let his grief have a free course.
“Dick! dear old Dick, you must bear up. Think what treasures you have left.”
“I do. I try to do so,” said poor Dr. May; “but, Spencer, you never saw my yellow-haired laddie, with his lion look! He was the flower of them all! Not one of these other boys came near him in manliness, and with such a loving heart! An hour ago, I thought any certainty would be gain, but now I would give a lifetime to have back the hope that I might see my boy’s face again! Oh, Spencer! this is the first time I could rejoice that his mother is not here!”
“She would have been your comforter,” sighed his friend, as he felt his inability to contend with such grief.
“There, I can be thankful,” Dr. May said, and he looked so. “She has had her brave loving boy with her all this time, while we little thought—but there are others. My poor Margaret—”