"The son whom I have wronged, and the woman sent by God, have I this day made one," he said, and there was triumphant joy in his voice.
Barbara's friends—everybody was her friend now—kept their places with difficulty during the closing hymn and the benediction. As it was, they failed to give Mr. Flint time for an appropriate "Amen," before they rushed upon Barbara and Will, and almost suffocated them with sweet words.
When the last one had gone, Barbara, with the good wishes of everybody ringing in her ears, turned to Mr. Flint, and her eyes filled with tears.
"I—I don't deserve it, I—" she began, but he gently interrupted her.
"Yes, Barbara, every word is true." And then turning to Will asked, "Do you understand now, Will?"
"Yes, father," was the reply, and the two men clasped hands.
"Barbara," said Mr. Flint, as they were walking toward the door, "there is one word that I long to hear you say, I must hear it, you must not deny me any longer." Barbara stopped, she did not understand. "It is the one word from your lips that will fill my cup of happiness to the brim," added the minister, feelingly. "Can't you guess?"
A light came into Barbara's eyes, and smiling through her tears she said:
"Father."