Twill turn the purpose of the Lard o'
Hosts, or I'm no prophet."

"'Tis in my head you 'm right. I be lifted up in a way I never was."

"The Lard 's found 'e by the looks of it," said Billy critically,
"either that, or you 'm light-headed for want of sleep. But truly I
think He've called 'e. Now 't is for you to answer."

They cleaned the cross with a bucket or two of water, then dragged it
half-way up the hill, and, where a rabbit burrow lessened labour, raised
their venerable monument under the afterglow.

"It do look as if it had been part o' the view for all time," declared
Ted Chown, as the party retreated a few paces; and, indeed, the stone
rose harmoniously upon its new site, and might have stood an immemorial
feature of the scene.

Blanchard stayed not a moment when the work was done but strode to
Newtake like a jubilant giant, while Mr. Blee and Chown, with the horse,
tools, and rough sledge, followed more slowly.

The father proceeded homewards at tremendous speed; a glorious hope
filled his heart, sharing the same with sorrow and repentance. He
mumbled shamefaced prayers as he went, speaking half to himself, half to
Heaven. He rambled on from a petition for forgiveness into a broken
thanksgiving for the mercy he already regarded as granted. His labours,
the glamour of the present achievement, and the previous long strain
upon his mind and body, united to smother reason for one feverish hour.
Will walked blindly forward, now with his eyes upon the window under
Newtake's dark roof below him, now turning to catch sight of the grey
cross uplifted on the hill above. A great sweeping sea of change was
tumbling through his intellect, and old convictions with scraps of
assured wisdom suffered shipwreck in it. His mind was exalted before the
certainty of unutterable blessing; his soul clung to the splendid
assurance of a Personal God who had wrought actively upon his behalf,
and received his belated atonement.

Far behind, Mr. Blee was improving the occasion for benefit of young Ted
Chown.

"See how he do stride the hill wi' his head held high, same as Moses
when he went down-long from the Mount. Look at un an' do likewise,
Teddy; for theer goes a man as have grasped God! 'Tis a gert, gay day in
human life when it comes."

Will Blanchard hurried through the farm gate, where it swung idly with
its sacred support gone forever; then he drew a great breath and glanced
upwards before proceeding into the darkness