She came and stood beside me, gazing down into my face and clasping my hand warmly in both her own.
“Beela,” she answered.
“Beela?” after a mystified pause; then, thinking that she was teasing, I laughed.
She appeared much relieved, and brightly said: “I’m glad you understand and forgive me.... But you resented her at first.”
“Beelo had become very precious, dear, and so my readjustments where you are concerned are slow. But a new fondness grew with Beela’s coming.”
“Poor Joseph! And she wasn’t necessary. I am sorry now that I——”
“She? Who?”
“Beela.”
I was a little taken aback, but came to my feet with a dazzling consciousness that all the glories of earth were packed into this moment.
“Not at first, dear,” I said, “but in time she became more necessary than my life. My heart sits in gratitude at Lentala’s feet for sending me her sweet sister.”