The emotion lasted but a moment, because of the calmness of older years; but it was a moment full as the whole soul and the whole life of a small being. The older man felt all his soul, saw all his small life. Was that coming for him: forgiveness? Was it coming to him through his son? Because of his son, perhaps ... mysteriously, for some mysterious law and mystic reason?... He felt it ... as an enlightening surprise ... though he merely said, after a pause:
"I'm glad, Addie ... that you went. And now you must tell ... Mamma."
"I'll tell her this very evening, Father."
"This evening?"
"Yes, I can't wait any longer. Those last words ... are lying like a weight ... on my heart: I must hand them on...."
"To Mamma also...."
"To feel relieved...."
"Then go to her," said Van der Welcke, very calmly.
And he remained sitting in his chair. His fingers mechanically rolled a fresh cigarette. But in his eyes, which had always remained young, there was seen a faint inflexion, of surprise, as though for the first time they had looked into the deeper life. His son kissed him, gently, went away, closed the door. And Van der Welcke's fingers continued to fumble with a newly-rolled cigarette. He forgot to light it. He stared in front of him....
Outside the house the wind blew moaning along the walls and drew its tapping fingers along every window, as along a vast keyboard....