" Yes," he said. " I know it — but it is not strange. I am
glad it is so, for it was in a good cause. You are right, Hilda,
my sister — the hour of destiny is passed. It has left its marks,
but they are pledges that it will not return. The new life
begins to-day — give me your hands, both of you — do mine
tremble so ? It is with happiness, not with pain — oh, not with
pain, do not think it ! Give me a share in your lives, since you
will. I take it gladly, and you shall not regret it. You have
my word that you shall never feel one sting when you look at
me, you, my brother, you, my sister. I will be a brother to you
both, a son to her you both call mother, though, in truth, I am
too old for that — but she must be a mother to us all, in place
of what none of us have ever had, save Hilda. And I kiss your
hand, dear sister — so — it is the pledge — I take yours in mine,
brother, and I know you, and you know me, and we can look
each into the other's eyes and say I trust, and know that we trust
well. There — it is done, and we are joined, we three, for good
or evil, to stand together if there be strife still in store for us
who have striven so much, to live in brotherly love and peace,
if peace is to be ours, until the grey years come and we are laid
side by side together."

" So be it, and may God bless us all," said Greif.
