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Walpole, Hugh, Sir, 1884-1941

"The Captives"

Maggie could not catch many of his words: "My
children--only a little time--Our preparation now is finished . . .
God has promised . . . Not the least of these His little ones shall
perish . . . Let us not fear but be ready to meet Him as our Friend
. . . our Friend . . . God our Father . . ." Then in a stronger
voice: "Now during these last minutes let us kneel in silent
prayer."
They all knelt down. Maggie had no thoughts, no desire except that
the time might pass; she seemed to kneel there asleep waiting for
the moment when some one should tell her that the time had gone and
she was safe. The moments dragged eternally; a thrilling suspense
like a flood of water pouring into an empty space had filled the
Chapel. No one moved. Suddenly into the heart of the silence there
struck the first note of the clock tolling the hour. With Maggie it
was as though that sound liberated her from the spell that had been
upon her. She looked up; she saw the master standing, his hands
stretched out, his face splendid with glory and happiness.
He looked beyond them all, beyond the Chapel, beyond the world. He
gave one cry:
"My God, Thou art come.


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