At that word she came to greet them, her face illumined by a smile inexpressibly sweet, but inexpressibly sad. “You are welcome, oh, very welcome,” she said, in a soft Scotch voice. “Come in and rest for a few moments.”
“Our young friend here, Captain Dunbar, is chaplain of a distinguished Canadian regiment.”
“They are all distinguished,” said the lady.
“A chaplain?” said the minister. “My dear sir, we should be grateful for a message for our people from the front--”
“But,” protested. Barry, “I want to hear some one else preach. One gets very tired of one's own preaching, and besides I'm a very poor preacher.”
“I'll take that risk, but I will not press you,” said the minister courteously.
“Do, Barry,” said Paula in a low voice, but he shook his head.
“I see you have some soldier friends at the front,” said Mr. Rowland, pointing to a photograph on the mantel of a young officer in Highland dress.
“Our son, sir,” said the minister quietly.
“Our only son,” added his wife quietly. “He was in the Black Watch.” Her voice, with its peculiar bell-like quality, was full of pride and tenderness.
“Oh,” said Phyllis, turning to her with quick tears in her eyes and holding out her hand.
“Ah,” said the lady, “you too? Your brother?”
“My dear child! My dear child!” said the minister's wife, kissing her. “Your mother was greatly privileged,” she added gently.
“Madam,” said Mr. Howland, wiping his eyes, “forgive me, but you mothers are the wonder of the war.”
“There are many of us in this glen, sir,” she replied. “We cannot give our lives, sir. We can only give what is dearer than our lives, our dear, dear sons, and, believe me, we don't grudge them.”
“Madam,” said Mr. Howland, “the whole world honours you and wonders at you.”
“Sir,” said Barry, obeying a quick impulse, “I cannot preach, but may I tell your people something about their boys and how splendid they are?”
“Oh, would you?” cried his wife. “There are many there who feel only the loss and the sorrow. You can tell them something of its splendour.”
By this time in the eyes of all the visitors there were tears, but on the faces of the minister and his wife there was only the serene peace of those who within the sacred shrine of sacrifice have got a vision of its eternal glory.