So far he proceeded, and then a great sob caught his breath, the familiar words had become all too painful. Annie waited an instant to see if he would recover; then her soft voice took up the words, and he followed her:
‘We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is no health in us;’
‘But Thou, O Lord,’ proceeded Nat, to whom she left the precedence, ‘have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare Thou them, O God, which confess their faults. Restore Thou them that are penitent; According ... According ... Annie,’ cried out Nat, in the greatest agitation, ‘I don’t remember how it goes! I don’t remember how it goes!’
He remembered well enough, but he had become unnerved; and in his emotion the familiar words were lost. Annie quieted him with a touch upon his arm; and went on speaking as if there had not been a pause.
‘According to Thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for His sake; That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of Thy holy Name. Amen.’
And Nat repeated after her, ‘Amen.’
For a minute they waited, and then rose up from their knees; and Nat took his sister into a close embrace; it was not possible for words to pass between them in that moment when their kisses met, and each face was wet with tears. Then they separated; and, moving quietly about the room, he began to put together some things that he would need.
‘Nat,’ cried Annie, with a sudden impulse, ‘you shall be the baby’s godfather.’
He stood still, looking at her, and she went on, speaking rapidly; ‘I’ll get some one in the village here to stand for you. An’ when you come home .... you can tell me about t’ boy .... if I don’t bring him up right you can let me know. Mr Lee’ll be the t’other, I daresay; but that won’t be the same; I shall be glad to think as you will be near the child!’
Was that like Annie, so proud and self-sufficient, so scornful of the brother with whom she had shared her youth? Nat was very much touched, so much moved he could not speak; he went to the baby and kissed it, and then turned to her again. For a while he stood by her, and held her in his arms—his grasp had already the strong clasp of a man.