The cold agony in the breast of Hermas dissolved like a fragment of
ice that melts in the summer sea. A sense of sweet release spread
through him from head to foot. The lost was found. The dew of a
divine peace fell on his parched soul, and the withering flower of
human love lifted its head again. The light of a new hope shone on
his face. He stood upright, and lifted his hands high toward heaven.

"Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord! O my God, be
merciful to me, for my soul trusteth in Thee. My God, Thou hast
given; take not Thy gift away from me, O my God! Spare the life of
this my child, O Thou God, my Father, my Father!"

A deep hush followed the cry. "Listen!" whispered Athenais,
breathlessly.

Was it an echo? It could not be, for it came again--the voice of
the child, clear and low, waking from sleep, and calling: "My
father, my father!"