at last."

"'Liphalet, I did n't say what I said fur no slur ag'in' you. You 're as
good a Christian man as--well, as most."

"I know you did n't mean no slur, Hester. It was jest yore dooty to say
it. I 've come to realise how strong yore feelin' about dooty is, in the
years we 've been together, an' I would n't want you to be any
different."

The calm of old age had come to these two. Life's turbulent waters toss
us and threaten to rend our frail bark in pieces. But the swelling of
the tempest only lifts us higher, and finally we reach and rest upon the
Ararat of age, with the swirling floods below us.

Eliphalet went on with the letter. "He says some more about that little
girl. 'Alice is a very nice and sensible girl. I like her very much. She
helps me to get out of myself and to be happy. I have never known
before what a good thing it was to be happy,--perhaps because I have
tried so hard to be so. I believe that I have been selfish and
egotistical.' Freddie don't furgit his words," the old man paused to
say. "'I have always thought too much of myself, and not enough of
others. That was the reason that I was not strong enough to live down
the opposition in Dexter. It seems that, after all your kindness to me,
I might have stayed and made you and Aunt Hester happy for the rest of
your days.' Bless that boy! 'But the air stifled me. I could not breathe
in it. Now that I am away, I can look back and see it all--my mistakes
and my shortcomings; for my horizon is broader and I can see clearer. I
have learned to know what pleasure is, and it has been like a stimulant
to me. I have been given a greater chance to love, and it has been like
the breath of life to me. I have come face to face with Christianity
without cant, and I respect it for what it is. Alice understands me and
brings out the best that is in me. I have always thought that it was
good for a young man to have a girl friend.'"

For an instant, Mrs. Hodges resumed her old manner. A slight wave from
the old flood had reached the bark and rocked it. She pursed her lips
and shook her head. "He furgot Elizabeth in a mighty short time."

"Ef he had n't he 'd ought to be spanked like a child. Elizabeth never
was the kind of a mate fur Freddie, an' there ain't nobody that knows it
better than you yoreself, Hester, an' you know it."

Mrs. Hodges did not reply. The wavelet had subsided again.

"Now jest listen how he ends up. 'I want you and Aunt Hester to come