"What's that?"
"Why, as your wife."
As Hal made no immediate response to this, the other turned and looked at him for the first time, as he added quietly: "You must have thought of that?"
"Yes, I've thought of it," said the boy brokenly as his hands clutched each other. Then he rose and walked away as if he would physically avoid that thought. "Yes, I've thought of it."
The clergyman's grave face grew graver. It wasn't often any one saw a stern look in those gentle eyes.
"You are not prepared to go as far as that?"
"Oh, you don't understand," groaned the boy; "I wish I could make her my wife. I wish I could!"
"And the mother of your children?"
"Yes, yes; I'd make her mine if I could—if I could!"
"Ah, I see," said the other with comprehension and with a dreary little smile.