The thick gloom broke. A tiny linnet that Jap had given Flossy fluttered to the swing in its cage and burst, all at once, into song, and a vagrant sunbeam darted through the western clouds. Flossy opened her eyes.
"Jap," she gasped painfully, "is this the thing called Death, this uplift of joy?"
The doctor raised her in his arms and gave her a few sips of medicine. She was easier. She motioned Jap to bend closer.
"Is he gone?" she asked clearly. "Is my boy with his father?"
Jap kissed her forehead gently.
"He is with Ellis," he whispered.
"Then I thank You, great Giver of all Good," she cried happily, "for I can go now." She summoned Bill with her eyes.
"I want you to make the boy very proud of the men he was named for," she smiled. It was a smile of heavenly beauty, as the pure soul of Ellis Hinton's wife flew to join her loved ones.