\"Whistnow，laddie！Therenow。ItisstheLord。\"
Hervoicegrewsteadyandgrave。\"ItisstheLord，andHegaveyoutomeforthesefewhappyyears，and，Shock，man，youwillbeheedingme。\"
Shockturnedhisfacetowardheragainandlaidhisfaceclosetohercheek。
\"Remember，IgaveyoutoHimselfinconvenantthatday，andthatcovenantyouwillkeepnowand——afterwards，andImustbekeepingittoo。\"
\"Yes，mother，\"saidShockbrokenly，whileheheldhertight。\"Butitisonlyfortwoyears，andthenIwillbecominghome，oryoutome，andbeforethat，perhaps。\"