whitewashed church。 In its shadowy atmosphere he sank back into
being。 He liked to sink himself in its hush as a stone sinks
into water。
He went across his garden; mounted the wall by the little
steps; and entered the hush and peace of the church。 As the
heavy door clanged to behind him; his feet re…echoed in the
aisle; his heart re…echoed with a little passion of tenderness
and mystic peace。 He was also slightly ashamed; like a man who
has failed; who lapses back for his fulfilment。
He loved to light the candles at the organ; and sitting there
alone in the little glow; practice the hymns and chants for the
service。 The whitewashed arches retreated into darkness; the
sound of the organ and the organ…pedals died away upon the
unalterable stillness of the church; there were faint; ghostly
noises in the tower; and then the music swelled out again;
loudly; triumphantly。
He ceased to fret about his life。 He relaxed his will; and
let everything go。 What was between him and his wife was a great
thing; if it was not everything。 She had conquered; really。 Let
him wait; and abide; wait and abide。 She and the baby and
himself; they were one。 The organ rang out his protestation。 His
soul lay in the darkness as he pressed the keys of the
organ。
To Anna; the baby was a plete bliss and fulfilment。 Her
desires sank into abeyance; her soul was in bliss over the baby。
It was rather a delicate child; she had trouble to rear it。 She
never for a moment thought it would die。 It was a delicate
infant; therefore it behoved her to make it strong。 She threw
herself into the labour; the child was everything。 Her
imagination was all occupied here。 She was a mother。 It was
enough to handle the new little limbs; the new little body; hear
the new little voice crying in the stillness。 All the future
rang to her out of the sound of the babys crying and cooing;
she balanced the ing years of life in her hands; as she
nursed the child。 The passionate sense of fulfilment; of the
future germinated in her; made her vivid and powerful。 All the
future was in her hands; in the hands of the woman。 And before
this baby was ten months old; she was again with child。 She
seemed to be in the fecund of storm life; every moment was full
and busy with productiveness to her。 She felt like the earth;