the things she would have told Him of were more near His heart than
hers, and those to whom she wanted to be sent were in His own hand. But
whether this passed with words or without words she could not tell. Her
soul expanded under His eyes like a flower. It opened out, it
comprehended, and felt, and knew. She smote her hands together in her
wonder that she could have missed seeing what was so clear, and laughed
with a sweet scorn at her folly, as two people who love each other laugh
at the little misunderstanding that has parted them. She was bold with
Him, though she was so timid by nature, and ventured to laugh at
herself, not to reproach herself--for His divine eyes spoke no blame,
but smiled upon her folly too. And then He laid a hand upon her head,
which seemed to fill her with currents of strength and joy running
through all her veins. And then she seemed to come to herself saying
loud out, "And that I will! and that I will!" and lo, she was kneeling
on the warm soft sod alone, and hearing the sound of His footsteps as He
went about His Father's business, filling all the air with echoes of
blessing. And all the people who were coming and going smiled upon her,
and she knew they were all glad for her that she had seen Him, and got
the desire of her heart. Some of them waved their hands as they passed,
and some paused a moment and spoke to her with tender congratulations.
They seemed to have the tears in their eyes for joy, remembering every
one the first time they had themselves seen Him, and the joy of it; so
that all about there sounded a concord of happy thoughts all echoing to
each other, "She has seen the Lord!"

Why did she say, "And that I will! and that I will!" with such fervour
and delight? She could not have told but yet she knew. The first thing
was that she had yet to wait and believe until all things should be
accomplished, neither doubting nor fearing, but knowing that all should
be well; and the second was that she must delay no longer, but rise up