But Bullstone shook his head.
"I'm bound for the only place that can offer peace. Auna and I. And I hope you'll make time as you can and come and see me now and again. I feel friendly to you and Peter. You know that actions speak louder than words. I hope it will be a girl for the sake of the blessed name. I'll come to the christening. Ill do that. Mark me. I'm a man of my word. You take all care of yourself, Avis, and don't be too busy."
Peter spoke.
"Why for can't you go to John Henry, father? Then we should have you in the midst."
"You know we're all right, father," added the elder brother. "It isn't as if you'd see a lot to vex you, and things being done you didn't hold with. You could come and go and keep your eye on the dogs too."
"I'd like to believe that you could wish it. And I will believe it," repeated Jacob. "I'll make myself believe it, hard though it may be. It's a sign of grace and I'm glad it came into your thoughts. And Avis is going to have a child. That's well. Be sure to call it after your mother if it's a girl."
He stared and nodded and they were conscious that his mind had wandered far from them.
"Let's go for a walk up the valley, father," said Auna. "You always like to talk best in the air."
"I'm going to do so," he answered, "but I'm going alone. You children can stop together, and I'll be back for tea drinking. I'm a good deal shaken by this great thought of John Henry's. It means his mother in him, working up to the surface. And he can thank the Lord she's there. She's in you all. Not that I can change my plans, for my help comes from the hills you must know—such as it is. But that I was wanted at Bullstone is worth a good bit to me,—good payment, you might say, for what I've done."
He left them and they turned anxiously to Auna,