"I went over to the store when you did not come in, to see if you were there. Mr. Murkard said you had said good-night to him nearly two hours before, so I knew you had gone for a walk. You are very tired, I can see."
She leaned over his chair and ran her hand through his curly hair. Her touch, soft as it was, seemed to tear his very heart-strings. He could hardly bear to look her in the face. He left his seat and went across to the fireplace.
"Esther," he said, "difficulties are surrounding us on every side. If things don't change soon, goodness only knows what will happen to us."
"But they will change. God will help us, husband mine. Come what may, let us put our trust in him. He has not deserted us hitherto, and I am not afraid that he ever will."
"If only I had your faith. Oh, Esther, my own dear wife, I wonder if you will ever come to think badly of me."
"Never, Cuthbert, never! I shall believe in your honesty and goodness until my life's end."
She pulled his head down and kissed him on the forehead. Before he could answer she had left the room. He went out to the veranda and leaned against the rails, saying slowly to himself, over and over again:
"'I shall believe in your honesty and goodness until my life's end!'"