Ah, how well Minna knew that voice. It was the voice of Tobias as of old. The same voice, in tone perhaps only a little weakened, and rendered more soft by sickness than it had been, but to her it was like the soft memory of some well remembered tone that she had heard, and wept with joy to hear in happier days.
"I am here, Tobias! I am here."
"Minna—Minna!"
She entered the room radiant and beautiful as some fairy come to breathe joy by the magic of some spell, Tobias stretched out his arms towards her. She paused a moment, and then with a soft and gentle movement, embraced him. It was but for an instant she held him in her arms, and then she stepped back a pace or two and looked at him.
"Quite well," said Tobias, understanding the look.
"Quite?"
"Oh, yes, Minna, and as happy—as—as—fifty kings."
"Are kings happy?"
"Well, I don't know that they are, Minna, but at all events if they are, they can't possibly be happier than I am."
"Bless the boy," said Mrs. Ragg, "how he does talk, to be sure."