第3章

Therefereeisingreatdifficulty。Hehasareputationforcourageandfairness。Hehesitatesamomentortwo，andthen，whilethecrowdwaitbreathlessforhisdecision，says，"Youcanallseethatitisalmostimpossibletobecertain，butonthewholeIshallgiveita’hold。’"

Itwasabittermomenttothe’Varsitymen，butCampbellisatruesport。

"Shutup，men，"hesaysinanswertotheloudprotestsofhisteam。

"Getbehindtheball。"

Everysecondispreciousnow，andthelineisonlythreefeetaway。

Againthefieldiscleared。Theteams，springingtotheirplacesinthescrimmage，begantoshovefuriouslybeforetheballisinplay。

"Getup，men！"saysthereferee。"Youmustgetup。Letmegetthisballin。Getup，McGill！Getoffyourknees！"fortheMcGillmenareontheirgoallineinanattitudeofdevotion。

Againandagainthescrimmageisformed，onlybebrokenbytheeagernessofthecombatants。Atlengththerefereesucceedsinplacingtheball。InstantlyShockisuponit，andbeginstocrawltowardthelinewithhalfadozenmenonhisback，grippinghimbynose，ears，face，throat，whereverahandcanfindavulnerablespot。

"Holdthere！"callsthereferee。"’Varsityball。"

"Getofftheman！Getoff！"crythe’Varsitymen，pullingtheMcGillfellowsbylegsandheads，tillatlengthShockrisesfromthebottomoftheheap，grimy，bloody，butsmiling，grimlyholdingtotheball。Hehasmadesixinches。Thelineistwofeetandahalfaway。

Itisagain’Varsity’sball，however，andthatmeansagreatdeal，forwithCampbellliesthechoiceofthemomentforattack。

PlacingShockonthewing，andsummoninghishalvesandquarters，Campbellpreparesforasupremeeffort。Itisobviouslytheplaceforthescrew。

TheMcGillmenaredown，crouchingonhandsandfeet，someontheirknees。

Campbellrefusestoplayandappealstotherefereeinatoneofrighteousindignation，"Whatsortofgameisthis？Lookatthosefellows！"

"GetupMcGill！Getup，orI’llpenaliseyou，"saysthereferee。

Everyoneknowshewillkeephisword。ThereisamovementonthepartofMcGilltorise。Campbellseizestheopportunity，lowershishead，andwithayelldropstheballinfrontofShock。InthewhirlofthescrewtheballslipsouttoBrown，whotipsittoTheDon，butbeforehecantakeasinglestephalfadozenmenareuponhimandheisshovedbackacoupleoffeet。

"Man，man，"ejaculatestheoldlady，"willyounotbecareful！"

"Isay！"exclaimsoldBlacktoaMcGillenthusiastwhomhehadfoughtinthefamouschampionshipbattlefouryearsago。"Thisissomethinglike。"

"Greatball，"replieshisfriend。"We’llholdthemyet。I’veoftenseenaballforcedbackfromtwofeetofftheline。"

Itisstillthe’Varsityball。Thecrowdsarehowlinglikemaniacs，whilethepolicemanandfieldcensorsarevainlytryingtokeepthefielddecentlyclear。

TheDonresignstheballtothecaptainandfallsinbehind。Everymaniswet，panting，disfigured，buteagerforthefight。Againthescrimforms，onlytofallupontheball。

"Deadball，"announcesthereferee，andbothteamsbegintomanoeuvreforadvantageofposition。Afewinchesisaseriousthing。

Againtheballisplacedandthementhrowthemselvesuponit，Shockasusualatthebottomoftheheapwiththeballunderhim。

OldBlackrunsupthroughthecrowdandwhispersinCampbell’sear，"PutBalfourandMartininthescrim。Theyarefresher。"Hehasnoticedthatthescrimlineonbothsidesisgrowingstale，andcandonomorethangrimlyholdon。AtonceCampbellseesthewisdomofthissuggestion。TheDon，thoughnotsoheavyasShock，isquiteasstrong，andisquickerthanthebigcentre，whoisbeginningtoshowtheeffectofthetremendousseriesofscrimmageshehasjustpassedthrough。Martin，thoughneithersostrongnorsoheavy，islikeaneel。

QuietlyCampbellthruststhehalvesintothefirstlineontheright，whisperingtoShock，"LetBalfourhaveit，andbackhimup。"

AsTheDongetstheballCampbellthrowshimselfbehindhimwiththeyell，"’Varsity！now！"AtthesameinstantTheDondropstheball，andwiththeweightofthewholeteambehindhimbeginstoborethroughtheenemy。

Forafewmomentsbothteamshanginthebalance，neithergivinganinch，whenoldBlack，yellingandwavingwildly，attractstheattentionofBate。

"Goin！"hecries。"Goin！"andBate，comingupwitharush，throwshimselfbehindthescrim。

Hisweightturnsthescale。Slowlyatfirst，butgainingmomentumwitheveryinch，themassyields，sways，andbeginstomove。TheMcGillmen，shoving，hacking，scragging，fightingfiercely，finallydroppingontheirknees，strivetocheckthatrelentlessadvance。Itisinvain。Theirhourhascome。

Withhoarsecries，regardlessofkicksandblows，tramplingonprostratefoes，andfollowedbyamobofspectatorstumultuouslycheering，the’Varsitywedgecleavesitsway，tillontheothersideTheDonappearswiththeballhuggedtohisbreastandHuntingdonhangingtohisthroat。Afinalrushandtheballisdown。"Theballisdown！"criesthereferee，andalmostimmediatelytimeiscalled。

Thegreatmatchisover。Byfourpoints’VarsityholdsthechampionshipoftheDominion。

"Thegreatestmatcheverplayedonthisground，"criesoldBlack，pushingthroughthecrowdtoCampbell，withbothhandsoutstretched。

AfterhimcomestheMontrealcaptain。

"Icongratulateyoumostheartily，"hesays，inavoicethatbreaksinspiteofallhecando。

"Thanks，oldman，"saysCampbellquietly。"Itwasacaseofsheerluck。"

"Notabitofit，"repliesHuntingdon，recoveringhimself。"Youhaveagreatteam。Ineversawabetter。"

"Well，"repliesCampbellheartily，"Ihavejustseenasgood，andthere’snonewewouldratherwinfromthanMcGill。"

"Andnone，"repliesHuntingdon，"McGillwouldratherlickthan’Varsity。"

MeantimeShock，breakingfromacrowdofadmirerswhoareboundtocarryhiminontheirshoulders，makesfortheFairbankscarriage，andgreetshismotherquietly。

"Well，mother，it’soveratlast。"

"Ay，itis。Poorfellows，theywillbefeelingbad。Butcomealong，laddie。Youwillbeneedingyoursupper，Idoubt。"

Shocklaughsloud。Heknowshismother，andneedsnowordstotellhimherheartisburstingwithprideandtriumph。

"Comein。Letushavethegloryofdrivingyouhome，"criesBetty。

"Inthisgarb？"laughsShock。

"That’sthegarbofyourglory，"saysHelen，herfineeyeslustrouswithexcitement。

"Come，Hamishman，youwillgetyourthingsandwewillbewaitingforyou。"

"Verywell，"hereplies，turningaway。"Iwillbeonlyaminute。"

Heisnotallowedtoescape，butwitharoarthecrowdseizehim，lifthimshoulderhigh，andchanting，"Shock！Shock！we——like——

Shock！"bearhimaway，intriumph。

"Eh，whatarethedaftladdiessayingnow？"inquirestheoldlady，strugglinghardtokeepoutofhervoicethepridethatshoneinhereyes。

"Listen，"criesHelen，hereyesshiningwiththesamelight。"Listentothem，"andbeatingtimewithherhandshejoinsinthechant，"Shock！Shock！we——like——Shock。"

III

THEVOICEINTHEWILDERNESS

TheSuperintendenthadcomefromtheWestonhisspringround—up。

NewsettlementsinanticipationofandfollowingthenewRailway，oldsettlementsinBritishColumbiavalleys，formedtwentyyearsagoandforgotten，ranchesofthefoot—hillcountry，theminingcampstothenorthandsouthofthenewline——thesewerebeginningtofiretheimaginationofolderCanada。FreshfromthenewandwonderfullandlyingwestoftheGreatLakes，withitsspelluponhim，itsmiseries，itsinfamies，itslonelinessachinginhisheart，butwiththestarlightofitspromiseburninginhiseyes，hecametotellthemenoftheCollegesoftheirduty，theirprivilege，theiropportunitywaitingintheWest。Forthemostparthiswasavoicecryinginthewilderness。NotyethadCanadianscometotheirfaithintheirWesternEmpire。Amongthegreatleaderswerestillfoundthosewhopouredcontemptupontheprojectofthetrans—continentalrailway，andeventhosewhofavouredtheschemebasedtheirsupportuponpoliticalratherthanuponeconomicgrounds。Itwasallsofarawayandallsounrealthatmenwhopridedthemselvesuponbeinggovernedbyshrewdbusinesssenseheldalooffromwesternenterprises，waitingincalmassurancefortheircertaincollapse。

Still，hereandtheremenlikeBompas，McLean，McDougall，andRobertsonwereholdinghighthelightthatfelluponprairieandfoothill，mountainpeakandcanyon，wherespeculators，adventurers，brokenmen，menwithshamednamesseekinghiding，andhumanwolvesseekingtheirpreywerepouringin。

DiscouragedwiththeresultsofhisworkintheEasternColleges，theSuperintendentarrivedatKnox，andto—nighthestoodfacingthecrowdofstudentsandtheirfriendsthatfilledthelongDiningHalltooverflowing。Withhearthotfromdisappointmentandvoicestridentwithintensityofemotion，hetoldofthethingshehadseenandheardinthatgreatnewland。Descriptionsofscenery，statistics，taleshumorousandpathetic，patrioticappeal，andpropheticvisioncamepouringforthinanoverwhelmingfloodfromthegreatman，whosetall，sinewyformswayedandrockedinhispassion，andwhoseScotchvoiceburredthroughhissonorousperiods。

"ForyourChurch，foryourfellowmen，forCanada，"rangouthislastappeal，andthemenpassedoutintothecorridortowardtheEntranceHall，silentorconversinginlow，earnesttones。Therewasnoneoftheusualchaffingorlarking。Theyhadbeenthinkinggreatthoughtsandseeinggreatvisions。

"Iwanttothankyouforaskingmeinto—night，Lloyd，"saidTheDon。Hisvoicewasquietandhisfineeyeswerelustrouswithlight。

"ThatmanoughttobeinParliament。Ishallseethatcountrysoon，Ihope。Whatamasterheis！Whatagrasp！Whathandlingoffacts！

There’sagreatCanadian，Isay，andheoughttobeinParliament。"

Themengatheredround，forthegreat’Varsityhalfbackwaswellknownandwelllikedinthatcompany;buttheyallknewhimasoneofthegay’Varsityset，andsomeoftheoldermenknew，too，thatinhisearlycollegecareerwerepassagesthatneitherhenorhisfriendscaredtoremember。Henceallofthem，butespeciallyShock，whomheloved，andLloyd，whomhegreatlyadmired，listenedwithsurprisetoTheDon’senthusiasticwords，fortheybothhadstoodbesidehiminthosedarkdays，andhadplayedtowardhimthebrother’spart。ThemenwaitedinsilenceforLloyd’sreply。Theyknewhimtobebyfarthestrongestmaninthecollege，thereadiestindebate，aswellasthemostpopularinthepulpit;but，withthesureinstinctofcollegemen，theyhadcometorecognisehisambitiousspirit，and，indeed，tobemoreinfluencedbyitthantheywouldhavecaredtoacknowledge。

"Yes，"saidLloyd，"itwascertainlyastatesman—likeaddress。Itcontainedalltheelementsofagreatspeech。Buthe——ofcourse——

well——heseesonlyonething——TheWest。"

"That’sright，"saidlittleBrown，whohadcomeinatShock’searnestinvitation，andbecausehewasanxioustohearaboutthenewcountryfromonewhowascomingtoberecognisedasanauthority，"heseesonethingsureenough。Isay，whatadrummerhe’dmake！

Talklikethatisworth100aminutetoanyfirm。I’llputmyGovernorontohim。Whenthatchapopenedhissamplecasehewouldn’ttalkweatherandpolitics，andthensidleuptobusiness。Notmuch！He’dgivethemBrown’sAxleOil，Brown’sBakingPowder，oranythingelseofBrown’shewasshowing，tillhiscustomerwouldseenothingbutBrown’sAxleOilandBrown’sBakingPowderalloverhisshop，andhe’dbereachingforthewholeoutput。Onething！Youbet！"

AgenerallaughofapprovalfollowedBrown’sspeech。

"That’strueenough，"saidLloydinatoneofcalmsuperiority，"butthereisotherworktodoandotherplacestodoitin。"

"TheParkChurch，forinstance，eh，Lloyd？"suggestedthevoiceslyly。

"Whynot？"answeredLloyd。"Thecentresmustbemanned——that’sasafeprincipleinstrategy。"

"Certainly，"criedanothervoiceironically。"Ourneglectedmasses！"

"Yes，andneglectedclasses，too。"Lloyd’stonewasearnestandsincere。

"Iagreewithyou，Lloyd，"saidTheDonemphatically，"ifanyfellowsneedtobe，ah——well——shakenup，youknow，it’suspoordevilswhoattendthecitychurches。Formypart，IwouldliketoseeyouintheParkChurch，andIpromiseyouIwouldgoregularly。"

OnallsidestherewasfrankapprovalofTheDon’sposition，whileLloyd，flushedandlaughing，lightlyreplied:"Oh，therewon’tbeanytrouble，Ifancy，ingettingamanfortheParkChurch。"

"Notintheleast，Iassureyou，"saidBrown。"BrownBros。，CommissionMerchants，etc。，etc。，willundertaketosupplymeninhalf—dozenlotswillingforaconsiderationtoofferthemselvesuponthealtarofParkChurch。"

"There’smorethanwillingnessnecessary，unfortunately，andbesides，lotsofmenwouldbewillingtogoWest，"answeredLloyd。

"Yes，andlotsofmendeucedlyunwilling，too，fromwhatyouroldmantheresays，nottospeakoftheyounglady，whoapparentlymustalsobewilling。Oh！Isay，wasn’tthatagreatyarn;andifeverthatchapgetsalookathimselffromthatparticularpoint。ofview，that’llbethetimetobuyhim。"

"Brown，myboy，"saidTheDonsolemnly，"yourlimitationsareobvious。Thecommercialinyouhasruntoseed。"

"Thatmaybe，butIcanspotamanthatknowshowtoshowhisgoods，andwhenthatoldgentlemansetforththeWestinthosehighlightsofhis，Itellyouwhat，IalmostwishedIwasaTheologue。"

"Whatapityyouarenot，"repliedTheDonthoughtfully，"forapparentlytheywantstrongmen。"Atwhichthecrowdagainlaughed"What’sthematterwithShock？"suggestedsomeone;"he’sagoodstrongman。"Therewasagenerallaugh。

"You’retheman，Shock。Youwouldclearoutthosesaloons。"

"Canyourideabroncho，Shock？"

Atthegood—naturedchaffShockblushedadeeperredthanusual。NooneexpectedmuchofpoorShock。Indeed，mostofhisclassmateswonderedifhewouldever"getaplace，"andnonemorethanShockhimself。

ButBrown，resentingthelaughanditsalltooevidentimplication，repliedindignantly:"YoubetShock’sthemanfortheWest，oranyplaceelsewheresolidmenarewanted，andwhereShockgoestherewillbesomethingdoing！And，"strikinganattitude，"thecountrywillbethebetterforit！Oh，IamaCanadian！"hecontinued，smitinghisbreastdramatically。"Comealong，Shock，we’vegotanappointment，"andBrown，linkinghisarmaffectionatelythroughthatofhisbigfriend，stuckhiscaponthebackofhisheadandmarchedoffwhistling"TheMapleLeaf。"

"Say！"hecried，ashepassedoutintothestreet，"won’talotofthosefellowsvolunteer，orwilltheyhuntroundforanicelittlebunkinOntario？"

"Manywouldliketogoiftheycould，"saidShockthoughtfully，"butyouknowtherearemanythingsthatmustbeconsidered。"

"Youngladies，eh？"askedBrownwithalaugh。

"Oh！didn’thetellthatyarnwell？Itwasgreat。ButI’dhatetobethefellow。"

"Butyouarenotfair，"repliedShock。"Amancan’tanswereveryappeal。Hemustthinkwhatheisfitfor，and，inshort，whereheiscalledtowork。There’sLloyd，now——"

"Oh，Lloyd！"brokeinBrownimpatiently。"He’saquitter。"

"Nothe。He’sanythingbutthat。"

"No，"ownedBrown，"he’snotaquitter，butheputsinovertimethinkingofwhat’sgoodforLloyd。Ofcourse，Idothatsortofthingmyself，butfromafellowlikeLloydoneexpectssomethingbetter。"

SoontheywereatShock’sdoor。

"Comein，"saidShockcordially，"motherwillbegladtoseeyou。"

AndBrownwentin。

IV

ONLYONECLAIM

ItalwaysgaveBrownasenseofcontenttoentertheMacgregorcottage。EvenamongthethriftyNorthcountryfolkthewidowMacgregor’shome，whilenotaspretentiousasthoseofthewell—to—

dofarmers，hadbeenfamousasamodeloftidyhouse—keeping。Herpresenthomewasalittlecottageofthreeroomswiththekitchenattheback。ThefrontroomwhereMrs。Macgregorreceivedherfewvisitors，andwhereShockdidmostofhisreading，exceptwhendriventohisbedroombythesaidvisitors，waslightedbytwocandlesinhigh，polished，old—fashionedbrasscandlesticks，andbythefirefromthehearth，whichradiatedapeaceandcomfortwhicheventheshinyhair—clothchairsandsofaandtheremainingsomewhatseverefurnitureoftheroomcouldnotchill。ItwasthehearthandmantelthathaddecidedMrs。MacgregorandShockintheirpurchaseofthelittlecottage，whichinmanyeyeswasnonetoodesirable。Onthewallshungold—fashionedprintsofRobbieBurnsandhisHighlandMary，theQueenandthePrinceConsort，oneortwoquaintfamilygroups，andoverthemantelalargeportraitofatallsoldierinfullHighlanddress。Uponabracketinacornerstoodaglasscaseenclosingawreathofflowerswroughtinworsted，andunderitinaframehungasamplerwiththeLord’sPrayersimilarlywrought。Ononesideoftheroomstoodaclockuponashelf，flankedbytheFamilyBibleandsuchbooksas"TheSaint’sRest，""HolyLiving，"

"TheFourfoldState，""ScotsWorthies，"allancientandwellworn。

OntheothersidestoodabookcasewhichwasShock’s，andbesideitatablewherehedidhiswork。Altogetheritwasaveryplainroom，butthefireplaceandtheshiningcandlesticksandtheragcarpetonthefloorredeemeditfromanyfeelingofdiscomfort，whiletheflowersthatfilledthewindowsleftanairofpurityandsweetness。

"Comeaway，mylad，comeaway，"saidMrs。Macgregor，whosatknittingbythefire。"Thenightischillenough。Comeawayuptothefire。"

"Thanks，Mrs。Macgregor，"saidBrown，"itdoesmegoodtolookatyoubythefiretherewithyourknitting。WhenI’manoldmanIonlyhopeI’llhaveacozyhearthstonelikethistodrawupto，andontheothersideacozyoldladylikeyouwithpinkcheekslikethesewhichImustnowkiss。"

"Tut，tut，it’sadaftladdieyouarewhatever，"saidtheoldlady，blushingalittle，butnotill—pleased。"Sityedownyonder。"Brown，eversincehisillness，whenMrs。MacgregorandShockhadnursedhimbackfromdeath’sdoortwoyearsago，wasoneofthefamily，and，indeed，heusedendearmentswiththeoldladythattheundemonstrativeShockwouldneverhavedaredtouse。"Ye’relate，Hamish。Surelyyonmanhadmuchtosay，"saidhismother，lookinglovinglyuponhergreat，sturdyson。

"Thathehad，mother，andgreatitwas，Icantellyou。"

ThenShockproceeded，afterhishabit，togivehismotherafullshareofwhathehadbeenenjoying。Mrs。Macgregorlistenedintently，pausingnowandtheninherknittingtoejaculate，"Well—

a—well！""Lookatthat，now！""Heartohim！"WhenShockhadfinished，Brownbrokein:"Itwastrulymagnificent，Iassureyou，Mrs。Macgregor，andtheenthusiasmoftheman！Andhisyarns！Oh，heistruly，great！"

"Andwhatwouldhebedoingatthecollege？"enquiredtheoldlady。

"Therewouldnotbemuchmoneythere，Idoubt。"

"Men，mother，men，"criedShockwithsomeexcitement。"VolunteersfortheGreatWest，andahardtimeheishaving，too，whatwiththeforeignfield，andneedyvacanciesinthiscountry，andcitypulpits，andthelike。"

Mrs。Macgregorsatsilent，herneedlesflyingfastandherlipspressedtogether。

"Iwishyoucouldhaveheardhim，Mrs。Macgregor，"saidBrown，enthusiastically。"Hehasatonguelikearasp，andattimesittakesofftheskin。Thatwasfine，Shock，aboutthefellowswhocouldnotgivehimanswertilltheyhadaskedtheLordaboutit。’I

findagoodmanymen，’theoldchapsaid，’who，afteranxiouslyenquiringastotheworkexpectedofthem，remuneration，prospectsofadvance，etc。，alwayswanttolaythematterbeforetheLordbeforegivingtheiranswer。AndIambeginningtothinkthattheLordhassomegrudgeagainsttheWest，foralmostinvariablyHeappearstoadvisethesementoleaveitseverelyalone。’Oh，itwasgreat！"LittleBrownhuggedhiskneeindelightatthememoryofthatraspingtongue。

"Butsurelythereareplentyofmen，"saidMrs。Macgregoralittleimpatiently，"forthere’snowantofthemwhatefferwhenacongregationfallsvacant。"

"That’sso，"repliedBrown;"butyouseehewantsonlyfirst—classmen——menreadyforanythinginthewayofhardship，andnottobedauntedbymanordevil。"

"Ouay！"saidtheoldlady，noddingherheadgrimly;"hewillnotbefindingsomanyofyonkind。"

"Butitmustbeagreatcountry，"wentonBrown。"Yououghttobearhimtelloftheriverswithsandsofgold，runningthroughbedsofcoalsixtyfeetthick。"

Theoldladyshookhercapathim，peeringoverherglasses。"Ye’reagaycallant，andyouwillbetakingyourfunoffme"

"Butit’strue。AskShockthere。"

"What？"saidShock，wakingupfromadeepstudy。Brownexplained。

"Yes，"saidShock。"ThesandsoftheSaskatchewanarefullofgold，andyouknow，mother，abouttheriversinCariboo。"

"Ay，IrememberfinetheCariboo，andCaribooCameronandhisgold。

Butnotmuchgooddiditdohim，poorfellow。"

"But，"saidShock，gazingintothefire，"itwasterribletohearhistalesofthesemeninthemineswiththeirsaloonsandawfulgamblingplaces，andthemenandwomenintheirlonelyshacksinthefoot—hills。My！Icouldseethemall。"

Mrs。Macgregorlookedsharplyintoherson’sface，thenlayingherknittingdowninherlapsheturnedtohimandsaidseverely，"Andwhattookthemoutyonder？Anddidtheynotknowwhat—nacountryitwasbeforetheywentout？"

"Yes，"saidShock，stilllookingintothefire，"buttheretheyare，Mother，theretheyare，andnolivingsoultospeakagoodwordtothem。"

"Wellthen，"saidtheoldlady，evenmoreimpatiently，"letthemputupwithit，asbetterbeforethemhavedonetotheircredit，ay，andtotheirgoodaswell。"

"Meantimethesaloonsandworsearegettingthem，"repliedShock，"andfinefellowstheyare，too，hesays。"

"Andisyonmanwantingtheladsfromthecollegetogooutyondertothoseterrible—likeminesandthingssofarfromtheirhomes？Whydoeshenotsendthemenwhoarewantingplaces？"Mrs。Macgregor’stonewasunusuallysharp。BothShockandBrownlookedatherinsurprise。

"Yes，youmaylook，"shewenton，"butIsayletthemthat’snotneededheregooutyonder，andtherewillbeplentyofthem，I

warrant。"

"’Andthey’dnoneofthembemissed，’"sangBrown。

"Idoubttheywouldn’tdo，"saidShock，shakinghisheadsadly。

"Well，mother，"criedBrown，"you’llhaveachanceofhearinghimyourselfto—morrowmorning，forheisgoingtopreachinyourchurch，Isee。"

Theoldladyshruggedhershoulders。"Indeed，andIwishourmeenisterwouldn’tbesoreadywithhispulpitforeveryBillandBobthatcomestheway。Hewillnotbeneedingarestagain，willhe？"

Shockgazedathismotherinsheeramazement。Hehadneverseenherlikethisbefore。Thisbitterimpatiencewassounlikeherusualcalm，dignifiedself—control。

"Butmother，"heventured，"thecausewillbeneedingmoneyandthepeoplewillneedtohearaboutit，surely。"

"Oh，astothat，"sheansweredinarelievedtone，"itisnotmuchthatwecangive，butwhatwecanwewill，and，indeed，therearemanyoftheminthatKirkthatwouldbethebetterofgivingalittleoftheirmoney。But，lad，"sheaddedasifdismissingapainfulsubject，"youmustbeatyourbooks。"

"WhichmeansImustgo。Iknowyou，MotherMacgregor，"saidBrown，usinghispetnameforthewomanwhohadfortwoyearsbeenmoreofamothertohimthanhisown。

"Ay，andwithinafewweeksyouwillbewishing，aswell，thatsomeonehadsetyoutoyourbooks，fortheexaminatorswillbeuponyou。"

"And，doubtless，shearmeasbareasDelilahdidSamsonofold。ButIamnotpromisingyouIamgoingtowork。MyphysicianwarnsmeagainstworkonSaturdaynights，soIamgoingtohuntupTheDon。"

"Indeedthen，youwillknowwellwheretolookforhim，"saidtheoldladyshrewdly。

"Ah，mother，you’retoosharpforanyofus。Notmuchescapesyoureyes。"

"Indeed，onedoesnotrequireeyestoseesomethings，andyonladdieisdaftenough。"

"Daft’stheword，"saidBrown，"andhasbeenforthelastthreeyears。Isnotitastonishingandprofoundlyhumiliating，"headdedsolemnly，"toseeachitofagirl，justbecauseshehasbrowncurlsandbrowneyeswithamostbewilderingskillinusingthem，sotwiddleaman？Itpassesmycomprehension。"

Theoldladyshookherheadathim。"Waityou，mylad。Yourdaywillcome。"

"IhearTheDonhasgottheofferofagreatappointmentinconnectionwiththenewrailwayinthatcountryandIfearthatmeanstroubleforhim。Therearethosewhowouldbedelightedtoseehimoutofthewayforacoupleofyearsorso。"

Buttheoldladywouldnotgossip，soBrownwasforcedtodropthesubjectwiththeremark，"ButI’lldowhatIcantoassisttheFates，andI’llbeginbybringingboththoseyoungladiestohearyourbiggunto—morrowifIcan，Shock。Theyoughttoknowmoreabouttheirowncountry。"

Shockglancedupquicklyasiftospeak，butseemedtothinkbetterofitandpokedthefireinstead。

"Idoubttheywouldbemoreprofitedintheirownchurch，"saidMrs。

Macgregor。"’Traivellin’sheeparesairtaekeep，’astheysayintheSouthcountry。No，it’slittleenoughthepoorthingswillbegettinginyonchurchoftheirswiththeirreadprayersandtheirbitsairmon——asairmonette，theywillbecallingit。Ay，asairmonette！"Theoldladyindulgedherselfinaquietchuckleofindescribablecontempt。

"Why，mother，"saidShockinareprovingtone，"don’tyouknowthattheirministerisjustasplendidpreacher。Thereisnobetterinthecity。"

"Andthat’snotsayingmuch，"saidtheoldlady。"ButI’mgladtohearit。"

"My！mother，butyouarecensoriousto—night。Youcan’texpecttofindmenlikeCandlish，Chalmers，andMacdonaldofFerintoshineveryage。"

"Ay，"saidtheoldladywithanemphaticshakeofherhead，"andthat’satrueword。Menlikeyonarenottobefound，andlikeMcCheyaeandBurnsandGuthrieandtherestofthem。Oh！itissmanystheSabbathmorningwhenIwassalassthatIwalkedwithmyshoesandstockingsinmyhanddowntheglentohearthesemenpreach。Andyonwasthepreaching。Yonwasthepreaching。Noneofyourpuny，peeping，fifteen—meenutesairmonettes，butpreaching，terribleheart—smitingpreaching。"Theoldladyhadceasedherknittingandwassittingerectinherchairgazingstraightbeforeher。Theyoungmensatsilent，fearingtobreakthespellthatwasuponher，andwaitingeagerlyforwhattheyknewwascoming。