She advanced to Alma with two outstretched hands.
"Dear Mrs. Lambert, I have not come to you to offer my formal sympathy! Indeed no! I want to make you believe that my heart grieves with you, and longs to be a real help and comfort."
Alma looked into the sweet, pleading face. She could read only sincerity.
Mechanically she took the girl's hands.
"But I don't understand," she faltered, "why should you feel interested in me at all?"
Edith's eyes looked at her with a new light.
"I don't know why, but I am. I feel your sorrow deeply. Perhaps it is because I am so impressed with the Fatherhood of God, that when I hear of one of His children suffering, I hear His voice bidding me to go."
Alma looked at her in open wonder.
"And one so young! How can you feel this? I am much older, but I never even really believed in such a Fatherhood."
Edith led her to a settee.