And Charlie, putting his arm caressingly about the old man’s neck, replied:-- “Father, for all that I have done against your wish and will, forgive me!” That was all. No more words were necessary. The reconciliation was complete. That which even Dannie’s death could not have brought about was accomplished in one instant by the announcement that he would live. Joy will sometimes crush the heart that sorrow cannot touch. A minute later, when Aunt Martha was about to cross the room hurriedly on some errand of mercy, she stopped suddenly, astounded at the sight that greeted her. But she grasped at once the beautiful meaning of it all, and raising her eyes devoutly toward heaven, she gently murmured:-- “Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory!” When Gabriel learned that Dannie would live, his joy knew no bounds; and when, in addition to that, he was told that Abner Pickett had become reconciled with his son, he could find but one mode of expressing his deep exultation. He plunged through the trackless fields and up the steep, snow-covered side of the ridge till he reached the topmost peak above the glen; and there, where no sound that he could make would disturb the sufferer, facing alternately to the bright east and the clear west, he blew blast after blast on his faithful horn; blast after blast, with bulging cheeks and reddening face and pounding heart, till it seemed as though the echoes of the hill and glen would tire of answering. But Dannie was not yet wholly out of danger. His convalescence was very slow. There were still days of disappointment and nights of anxiety. He never seemed to wonder at his father’s presence, although it was plain that he rejoiced in it. It was thought best not to tell him at once of the reconciliation between Abner Pickett and his son. It was necessary to avoid every pretext for undue excitement; and the two men were never in his room together after that terrible night when the crisis was passed; never until they were sure he would be able to bear the news. It was one day when he was sitting propped up in bed, looking out over the snow-clad hills, that they came in quietly and stood together at his side before he was aware of their presence. He looked wonderingly from one to the other; but there was a smile on the face of each, and then Charlie laid his arm gently about the old man’s shoulders. “Is it true?” asked Dannie, flushing with joy and pride as he looked. “It is true,” said Abner Pickett. “And, please God, it will stay true,” added Charlie. Swift tears sprang into Dannie’s eyes, and he put a thin, weak arm around each of their necks, and drew their faces down to his and kissed them. In the doorway Gabriel stood with a newspaper in his hand endeavoring to attract attention. When at last the two men turned toward him, he exclaimed in a loud and exultant whisper:-- “We’ve won it.” “Won what?” asked Charlie. “The lawsuit. It’s all here in the paper.”