"It was beautiful," said Magnus.
"You have no feeling against Oscar now?"
"Not now. When I saw you kneeling together at the communion rails I thought of the day when we all knelt there. And then--then Oscar was my little brother once again."
"Magnus--won't you--won't you kiss me?"
He hesitated for a moment, but she held her sweet face up to him--pure as a saint's and wet with tears--and he opened his great arms and gathered the little white figure to his breast and kissed her on the forehead under the bridal crown.
"Good-by, little girl, and God bless you and make you very happy. But if you ever want me say 'Come,' and I'll come to you--if it's to the farthest corner of the earth."
Thora began to cry audibly and Magnus bustled about and made for the door. He must be off, he had a long journey before him.
"And then Silvertop is outside--I must not keep him waiting.
"Silvertop?"
"Mother told me to take care of him until you return--so I'm taking him back to the farm."