"Ah, child! when he lay dead on the field of battle he came very much out on the right side, to my thinking. But why that melancholy note in your voice, Ruth? And why are your cheeks so flushed? Is anything the matter?"
"Kiss me," said Ruth. "I am glad you have said what you did about father. I am more glad than sorry, on the whole, this morning. Good-bye, grandfather."
She kissed him; then she raised her flower-like head and walked out of the room with a gentle dignity all her own.
"What has come to the little woman?" thought the old man.
But in a minute or two he forgot her, and called to his wife to bring him the account-books.
"Why do you bother yourself about them?" she asked.
"It has come over me," he replied, "that I have counted things wrong, and that I'll come out on the right side if I am a bit more careful. Put the books on this little table, and leave me for an hour or two. That's right, old woman."
"Very well, old man," she replied, and she pushed the table towards him, put the account-books thereon, and left the room.
Meanwhile Ruth went slowly to school. She was in
good time. There was no need to hurry. The morning was fresh and beautiful; there was a gentle breeze which fanned her face. It seemed to her that if she let her soul go it would mount on that breeze and get up high above the clouds and the temptations of earth.