It was indeed true. Ruffie's little feet had been very near the margin of the river, but no farther. He had been given back for a few more years to rejoice his father's heart. A few days later, when his recovery was a joyful fact, Anstice wandered out into the garden to get a little fresh air. She was too tired to walk much, for the strain of Ruffie's illness, on the top of the nursing of his sisters, had almost proved too much for her. She sat down on the lawn under one of the old trees. The beeches were turning colour, and the elms and oaks were already carpeting the green turf with their fallen leaves. It was a calm autumnal day. Anstice's heart was full of thanksgiving; she could think of nothing but the mercy and loving-kindness of God. And then presently Justin joined her. He had come straight from the boy's room. But though his head was erect and steps light, there was a great gravity on his face. He sat down on the garden seat by the side of his wife. Then he bent his head and kissed her. "You are worn out, sweetheart!" His tender, sympathetic tone sent the tears with a rush to Anstice's eyes. "I am only so thankful, so thankful!" she said. He was silent for a moment, then spoke: "These past weeks have been hard on both of us. For myself I own, I've never been in such trouble before. I think I'd like you to know that when Ruffie was given back to us, I gave God my heart and life." He stopped. Anstice slipped her hand into his and gave it a little squeeze. For a moment she could say nothing. Her heart was too full for words. Then she said softly: "It has been worth the strain and stress of these past weeks to hear you say that." They sat looking out upon the blue, still lake in the distance. Anstice was thinking of her short and strange married life, and how through Ruffie's illness, she had obtained her heart's desire. Then she turned again to Justin. She knew that to such a proud reserved man as himself, his confession had cost him something. "We are both beginners," she said, "but we can help each other. I always hoped that you and I would eventually have the same aims, the same goal! Don't you like these lines? I read them this morning in a little book I have:" "'The race Thou hast appointed us, with patience we can run; Thou wilt perform unto the end, the work Thou hast begun.'" FINIS