It was a long story. She had much to say to Heaven that night. The mothers and wives of 1776 in our land spake often unto God. This mother listened and prayed, and prayed and listened.
The fishermen had left Valentine and Anna on the shore and gone home. Tired, but happy, the brother and sister went up, over sand and field and slope, and so came at length within sight of the trees that towered near home.
“Whistle now!” whispered Anna, afraid yet to speak aloud. “Mother will hear and answer.”
Valentine whistled.
Up jumped the mother Kull. She ran to the door and tried to answer. There was no whistle in her lips. Joy choked it.
“Mother, are you there?” cried the children.
“No! I’m here,” was the answer, and she had them safe in her arms.