Herman's voice shook a little:
"Well, dad, Mattie says the war is over."
The old man tried to speak, but only coughed and then he blew his nose. At last he said, brokenly:
"Go right in; your mother's waitin'."
It was singularly dramatic to the youth. To come from the careless, superficial life of his city companions into contact with such primeval passions as these, made him feel like a spectator at some new and powerful and tragic play.
His mother fell upon his neck and cried, while Mattie stood by pale and anxious. Inside the parlor could be heard the mumble of men's voices.
In such wise do death and the fear of death fall upon country homes. All day the house had swarmed with people. All day this mother had looked forward to the reconciliation of her husband with her son. All day had the pale and silent minister of God kept his corpselike calm, while all about the white snow gleamed, and radiant shadows filled every hollow, and the cattle bawled and frisked in the barn-yard, and the fowls cackled joyously, while the mild soft wind breathed warmly over the land.
Mattie cried out to her mother in quick, low voice, "O mother, how is he?"
"He ain't no worse. The doctor says there ain't no immediate danger."
The girl brought her hands together girlishly, and said: "Oh, I'm so glad. Is he awake?"