Michael stepped on and was at the door first. He put his great arm across, as if to ensure caution and reverence.
"Go easy, go easy, the both of yous! but sure, they might be gone back already, and no one to have seen them, only meself!" he said in the same awed whisper.
They peered in, for beyond the Candle were dusky spaces; yet its light was enough to show them two figures there; a girl-mother with her child, lying very still.
Was she asleep, or.... She was so white and small! The long dark hair had been loosened and fell about her like a soft mantle; and close, close to her heart lay the little child.
Delia unclosed her eyes and looked up with a little smile. "I have him here, safe!" she said.
And Michael, only half comprehending, fell on his knees and sobbed aloud.
_Printed by_ R. & R. Clark, Limited, _Edinburgh_.
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Candle and Crib, by K. F. Purdon