"But why can't she come back?"
"She can't."
"But why—why?"
"That is another thing I can't tell you."
"And I am not to be unpatient," said Ronald.
"You're to be patient—it's a big lesson—it mostly takes a lifetime to get it well learned. But somehow, when it is learned, then there's nothing else left to learn."
Ronald's eyes were so bright and so dark that the preacher felt he had said enough for the present. He bent down over the boy.
"The God above bless thee, child," he said; "and if you have power and strength to say a little prayer for Connie, do. She will come back when the Heavenly Father wills it. Good-bye, Ronald."