"Our hopes were certainly shattered in more ways than one," he assented, with a sigh; "but, old lady, we wouldn't have it otherwise, would we? God called him for the service of his country, and when a man answers that call in His Name, all must be well. You miss the boy, I know--and well--so do I, more than I can say; but we are getting on, and it will be a grand homecoming when he stands, as we know he will stand, with outstretched hands to welcome us on the other side. I expect we shall be glad then he went over there first; what do you say, old dear?" he finished gently, and coming round to where Mrs. Crane sat, the tears slowly coursing down her cheeks, he stooped and kissed her forehead. "Thank you, John," she answered. "I forget sometimes the joy that is coming, the waiting seems so long, and yet it's a lovely thought, the King may come into the air any day bringing our darling with Him. There is nothing necessary to be fulfilled before that event, is there?" "No, I think not; scripture gives us nothing, but we must wait patiently, and be content with God's time and choice." "I love those lines, John: "'At midnight, eve, or morning, We may hear the victory song. Filling the heavens above us, From Redemption's white-robed throng.'" "I wish there were more stricken hearts comforted with the Thessalonian promises," he answered thoughtfully. "I am amazed at the numbers of people I come across in my profession who are apparently content to live their life as if it were the fulfilment of all hopes and ambitions, and not merely a pilgrimage here, an incident in eternity; but there, I must be off to the surgery," he concluded, suddenly changing the subject as the clock struck nine. As he was closing the door, he called out hurriedly: "My old friend Hatherley is coming down here in August to spend his holiday with us." "Oh, I _am_ glad!" murmured Mrs. Crane to herself; "John will enjoy that." Then gathering up her correspondence, she went to interview cook. A thought was in her mind to write Margaret a long motherly letter of sympathy, giving her all the home news of interest she could think of, and especially the Doctor's message. CHAPTER VII BOB IN TROUBLE Weeks drifted into months, and Margaret, much to the satisfaction of the inmates of Oaklands, was still at her post. Mrs. Crane had written and invited her to spend the summer holiday with her in August, but the thought of seeing the Abbey House again seemed more than she could bear just then, and so her old friend's invitation had been refused, and Margaret stayed on in the new environment, each day becoming more necessary in the home of her employers. Another letter had arrived from Mrs. Crane this morning, which yet remained to be answered when she felt there was more news to write about.