"My son, Jack, sir. Oh, who would have believed it?"
"What! and has he returned to life, or was it his spirit?"
"Yes, sir, his ghost," said my father, with a look of awe, and then he began relating to me the whole particulars of his son's spiritual apparition.
"Then you followed my advice, and have been praying?"
"That I did, sir, with all my heart and soul," said my father.
"You told me last evening," said I, "that if your son should come to life again you would give your consent to his marriage. If you really repent having withheld your consent during his lifetime let me see that your repentance is true by writing me the following words and affixing your signature."
"What words, sir, must I write?" he asked.
"Write," said I, "'If my son is restored to me I will give my consent to his marriage, with the girl of his choice,' that is what you have to write."
"But—but—" began my father.
"Write what I tell you, and affix your signature," said I, gruffly.