"Flower of the Dusk," he said, leaning to Barbara; "what should I have been without you? How could I have borne it all?"
Strength for the Burden
"God suits the burden to the bearer, I think," she answered, softly. "If you have much to bear, it is because you are strong enough to do it nobly and well. Only the weak are allowed to shirk, and shift their load to the shoulders of the strong."
"I know, but, Barbara—suppose——"
"There is nothing to suppose, Daddy. Whatever happened would be the best that could happen. I'm not afraid."
Her voice rang clear and strong. Insensibly, he caught some of her own fine courage and his soul rallied greatly to meet hers. From her height she had summoned him as with a bugle-call, and he had answered.
"The ways of the Everlasting are not our ways," he said, "but I will not be afraid. No, I will not let myself be afraid."