"Yes, Kingsley," said Nansie, and would have said more, but for a sudden trembling that came over him, which caused him to cling to her for support.
"To tell you the truth, my dear," he replied, with a wan, whimsical smile, "you would hardly believe it, but I think I am hungry!"
"Well, yes; such a careless, neglectful fellow as you have got for a husband, Nansie, never thinking of things at the right moment, never taking into account that it is necessary to eat even, until it is forced upon him that he must eat to live. And talking of eating to live--is there anything in the larder, Nansie?"
He had rallied a little, and spoke with greater firmness.
"Yes, Kingsley, plenty; come--come. Ah, my dear, my dear, with all my heart I thank God that you are with me again!"
"Dear wife," he murmured, and allowed himself to be led by her into the house, and up the dark stairs to the rooms she occupied.
But outside the door, on the landing, she whispered to him,
"There is a great happiness within. Be prepared for it."
"There is a great happiness here"--with his arms around her. "I am really and truly thankful."
"But a greater within, Kingsley, my husband. Listen--our darling child sleeps there."
"Our darling child, our little one! Surely I have seen her in my dreams, in which I have seen so many strange things. Ah, how I have dreamed of you, Nansie, even during this short absence! But let us go in, or I shall be reproached for forgetfulness."
They entered the room together, they leaned over the cradle, they knelt by its side, and Kingsley, lowering his face to the pretty babe sleeping there, kissed her softly and tenderly.
"She is very sweet, Nansie, like you. I am sure her eyes are the color of yours."
"And your heart, Nansie. Happy little one, happy little one! We will make her happy, will we not, dear?"
"But, my dear, pardon me for saying so, I am really and truly hungry. Even a piece of dry bread would be acceptable."
She kept back her tears, and quickly placed bread upon the table, which he ate ravenously at first, smiling at her gratefully the while. Very soon she had prepared some hot tea, which he drank, and begged her to drink a cup with him. His hunger being appeased, he lay back in his chair, his eyes wandering round the room.