Then, surely, did Tess win from her proud enemy all the respect and reverence he could bestow on any human being. Ebenezer Waldstricker lowered his lips and pressed them to the slender hand he held.
"My dear, my dear," he moaned. "If I could only undo some of it."
Oh, how Tessibel wanted some of it undone, too. Her red head bowed slowly over his strong white hand.
"Oh, Mr. Waldstricker," she burst forth with sobs, "I want my little baby so bad, so awful bad."
Ebenezer uttered a groan and wheeling quickly went from the room.
* * * * *
Later in the day, when they were alone together, Deforrest sat down beside Tessibel.
"Now, you can tell me all about it, child," he said.
"Yes," whispered Tess; and she did. It was difficult to go back to those long, terrible years through which she had stumbled in shame and disgrace, but Deforrest Young upheld her by sympathy and encouragement. When the pitiful tale was finished, he bent forward and drew her into his arms.
"This Christmas is the happiest of my life," he murmured.
Hearing Andy on the stairs, they'd just taken more conventional attitudes when he burst into the room.
"Mother Moll's been havin' a seance all to herself," he grinned, "an' she says, there's a wedding ring hanging over the brat's head, an' she said to tell you, Uncle Forrie--" He paused, giggled a little and ended--"Red curls'll twist around your heart so close ye won't ever get away."
Then the dwarf toddled back upstairs, chuckling to himself.
"Mother Moll's right," whispered Deforrest into the small ear. "I'm the happiest man in all the world, Tessibel."