Page:Love's trilogy.djvu/351

 'GOD'S PEACE' 341

treasures, filling the usually quiet room with laughter and joyous shouts. Until they become tired and sleepy, and with tiny, blinking eyes have to be carried round to say good-bye. But when Greta has put them to bed, she comes back and sits down on the sofa between her father and me.

The candles are still burning on the tree, and the old miller says, ' I fancy there are more candles this year. Last Christmas it was quite dark round me, but this year it seems to me I am able to see the light.'

' Yes, father dear,' Greta says, laying her head on my shoulder, ' there are more lights this year ; last Christmas you and I were alone, and for my own sake I did not care to light so many candles. But this year there has been real Christmas on Rough-Hill with love and children, and every Christmas Eve it will be like this, for this dear one,' and she takes my hand and lays it in the old man's, 'he will stay with us — that is if you will give him and me your consent.'

The old man kisses Greta and presses my hand warmly, while two big tears roll from his blind eyes and he says, ' God bless you my children and give you many bright days on Rough-Hill. You, my son, I have never seen, shall never see, but your voice, when we spoke about Greta, told me that you loved her.'

Before I leave, Greta leads me into the bedroom where Asta and Carl lie in her old cot. They sleep sweetly in each other's arms, Asta sheltering her