Oh, how your words rend my heart I Believe me, our son will yet recover. How could it be right that youth should go to the grave before old age? ~The Man.~~ And how often have you known the "right" to happen, my wife? ~His Wife.~~ Nay, nay; speak not so, my old comrade, but, rather, let us go upon our knees and say a prayer to God. ~The Man.~~ Methinks it would be difficult for my old knees to bend now. ~His Wife.~~ Yet _try_ to bend them, dearest one. It is our duty. ~The Man.~~ Think you, then, that God would heed one who has never yet troubled His ear with prayer or praise? Do _you_ pray: you are the mother. ~His Wife.~~ Nay, but do you also: you are the father. If a father will not pray for his son, who else shall do it--to whom else shall it be left? And would my prayer alone avail as much as yours and mine together? ~The Man.~~ Be it so, then; and perhaps the Everlasting Goodness will yet hold His hand when He sees an aged couple on their knees. [_They kneel down, with their faces towards the corner where stands the Being in Grey, and clasp their hands in an attitude of prayer._] ~Prayer of the Mother.~~ O God, I beseech Thee to spare the life of our son. One thing, one thing only, can my tongue find to say unto Thee: Spare us our son, O God! Spare us our son! Nought but this can I ask of Thee, for all around me is dark--all around me is slipping beneath my feet, so that I am utterly bewildered and astray. In the agony of my soul I beseech Thee, O God--again, and yet again--to spare us our son, to spare us our son. Forgive me this poor prayer of mine, but indeed I can do no better. Thou Thyself knowest that I can do no better. Look down upon me, look down upon me! Dost thou not see my trembling head, my trembling hands--ah, my trembling hands, O God? Have mercy, then, upon our child. He is yet so young that the birthmark is not faded from his right hand. Suffer him, then, I beseech Thee, to live a little longer--just a little longer--just a little longer. Have mercy upon him, have mercy upon him! [_She breaks off into silent weeping, and covers her face with her hands. The Man does not glance at her, but gives utterance, in his turn, to the following prayer._] ~Prayer of the Father.~~