"Did you make such nice apple dumplings for Tommy?" she asked presently,
busy with her fork and spoon, and looking supremely content with
herself and surroundings.

"Ah! Didn't I? I mind when he used to come in on Saturdays from the
forge, I always had a hot pudding for him. He used to say there was no
one as cooked as well as mother."

"He's a long time coming home, isn't he, Mrs. Maxwell? I get so tired of
waiting. I wish he would come for Christmas."

"I'm not tired of waiting," Mrs. Maxwell said softly, "and I've waited
these nine years, but it sometimes seems as if it is only yesterday as
he went off. I feel at times like fretting sadly over him, and wish I
knew if he was alive or dead, but then the Lord do comfort one, and I
know He sees just where he is, and He'll let me know when the right time
comes."

"I'm expecting him every day," said Milly with a cheerful little nod. "I
was telling God about him last night at my window on the stairs--and it
seemed as if God said to me that he was coming very soon now. I
shouldn't wonder if he came next week!"

The keeper entered the cottage at this moment, and Milly jumped off her
seat at once.

"I'm afraid it's time for me to be going back. Nurse said I was to be in
at four. Are you going to take me, Maxwell?"