So far he proceeded, and then a great sob caught his breath, the familiar words had become all too painful. Annie waited an instant to see if he would recover; then her soft voice took up the words, and he followed her: ‘_We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is no health in us;_’ ‘_But Thou, O Lord_,’ proceeded Nat, to whom she left the precedence, ‘_have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare Thou them, O God, which confess their faults. Restore Thou them that are penitent; According ... According ..._ Annie,’ cried out Nat, in the greatest agitation, ‘I don’t remember how it goes! I don’t remember how it goes!’ He remembered well enough, but he had become unnerved; and in his emotion the familiar words were lost. Annie quieted him with a touch upon his arm; and went on speaking as if there had not been a pause. ‘_According to Thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for His sake; That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of Thy holy Name. Amen._’ And Nat repeated after her, ‘_Amen._’ For a minute they waited, and then rose up from their knees; and Nat took his sister into a close embrace; it was not possible for words to pass between them in that moment when their kisses met, and each face was wet with tears. Then they separated; and, moving quietly about the room, he began to put together some things that he would need. ‘Nat,’ cried Annie, with a sudden impulse, ‘you shall be the baby’s godfather.’ He stood still, looking at her, and she went on, speaking rapidly; ‘I’ll get some one in the village here to stand for you. An’ when you come home .... you can tell me about t’ boy .... if I don’t bring him up right you can let me know. Mr Lee’ll be the t’other, I daresay; but that won’t be the same; I shall be glad to think as you will be near the child!’ Was that like Annie, so proud and self-sufficient, so scornful of the brother with whom she had shared her youth? Nat was very much touched, so much moved he could not speak; he went to the baby and kissed it, and then turned to her again. For a while he stood by her, and held her in his arms--his grasp had already the strong clasp of a man. ‘We’ll be better children,’ said Annie, as soon as she could speak. ‘An’ we’ll do better by mother as has been so good to us. The doctor’s feared she won’t be so strong again; but we’ll try to do well by her, we owe her that! Oh, I must be going; I am too tired already; but I’m glad to have seen you this once, Nat, good-night.’