第5章

"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。"

"Yes，yes，laddie，itmaybe——itmaybe，"saidhismothersoothingly，"butwhetherorno，wewillnotbetakingbackwiththeonehandwhatwegivewiththeother。Ihadmindedtogiveyouwithouttears，but——butoh，lad，youareall——all——all——Ihave。

Thereisnoonelefttome。"

Therewasalongsilencebetweenthem。Undercoverofdarknesstheylettheirtearsfreelymingle。InallhislifeShockhadneverseenhismothersob，andnowhewasheart——strickenwithgriefandterror。

"Whistnow，mother，youmustnotcrylikethat。SurelyGodwillbegoodtous，andbeforelongIwillgetalittleplaceforyouyonder。Whyshouldyounotcometome？Therearemissionaries’wivesoutthere，"hesaid。

"No，lad，"hismotherrepliedquietly，"Iwillnotbedeceivingmyself，noryou。AndyetitmaybetheLord’swill。Butgoawaynowandlieyoudown。Youwillneedtosleepabit，to—morrowwillbeaharddaytoyou。"

Fortwentyyearsandmoreshehadthoughtfirstofherboy，andnow，eveninthemidstofherowngreatsorrow，shethoughtmostlyofhimandhisgrief。

"Letmestayhere，mother，"whisperedShock。Andsoineachother’sarmstheylay，andfromsheerexhaustionbothsoonfellasleep。

Themorning’ssunwasshiningthroughthechinkbythecurtainwhenMrs。Macgregorawoke。Gentlysheslippedoutofthebedandbeforedressinglightedthekitchenfire，putonthekettlefortheteaandthepotfortheporridge。Thenshedressedherselfandsteppingaboutontiptoepreparedbreakfast，peeringinnowandthenathersleepingson。

Itwaswithafacecalmandstrong，andevenbright，thatshewentinatlasttowakenhim。

"Now，mother，"exclaimedShock，springingoffthebed，"thisisreallytoobad，andImeanttogiveyouyourbreakfastinbedto—

day。"

"Ay，it’smyselfknewthatmuch，"shecriedwithalittlelaughofdelight。

"Oh，butyou’rehardtomanage，"saidShockseverely，"butwaituntilIgetyououtyonderinmyownhouse。"

"Ay，lad，"answeredhismotherbrightly，"itwillbeyourturnthen。"

Theyweredetermined，thesetwo，tolookonlyatthebrightsideto—

day。Nosunshouldshineupontheirtears。Thepartingwouldbesoreenoughwithallthehelpthathopecouldbring。AndsothemorningpassedinlastpreparationsforShock’sgoing，andthelastcounselsandpromises，andinplanningforthenewhomethatwastobemadeintheshadowoftheRockiesinthefarWest。

"Andthetimewillsoonpass，mother，"saidShockcheerfully，"anditwillbegoodforyoutohaveBrownwithyou。Hewillneedyourcare，youknow，"hehastenedtoadd，knowingwellthatnotforherownsakecouldshehavebeenpersuadedtoreceiveevenBrownintoherlittlehome。

"Ay，IwilldoforhimwhatIcan，"shereplied，"andindeed，"sheaddedwarmly，"he’sakindlad，poorfellow。"

"Andtheyoungladieswillbelookinginonyounowandthen，sotheysaid，"andShockbentlowoverhistrunkworkingwiththeropingofit。

"Yes，indeed，"repliedhismotherheartily，"neveryoufear。"

Andsowithunitedanddeterminedpurposetheykeptatarm’slengththeheart’ssorrowtheyknewwouldfalluponeachwhenalone。

Togototheendsoftheearthintheseglobe—trottingdaysisattendedwithlittleanxiety，muchlessheart—break，butinthosedayswhenCanadawascutoffattheLakes，thelandbeyondwasawilderness，untravelledforthemostpartbutbytheIndianortrapper，andconsideredafitdwellingplaceonlyfortheHudsonBayofficerkepttherebyhisloyaltyto"theCompany，"orthehalf—

breedrunnertowhomitwasnativeland，orthemoreadventurousland—hungrysettler，ortherecklessgold—feveredminer。Onlyundersomegreatpassiondidmenleavehomeandthosedearerthanlife，andcastingasidedreamsofsocial，commercial，orothergreatness，devotethemselvestolifeonthatrudefrontier。ButsuchapassionhadseizeduponShock，andinithismothershared。Togetherthesetwosimplesouls，whowereallinalltoeachother，madetheirofferingforthegreatcause，bringingeachtheirallwithoutstint，withoutmeasure，withoutgrudging，thoughnotwithoutheart—break，andgainingthatfullexquisitejoy，tosomanyunknown，oflove’scompletesacrifice。

Tononebutthemselves，however，wasthegreatnessofthesacrificeapparent。ForwhenthecarriagearrivedwithMrs。Fairbanksandherdaughterstherewasnosignoftearsorheart—breakinthequietfacesthatwelcomedthem。AndMrs。Fairbanks，whohadcomepreparedtoofferoverflowingsympathytotheoldlady"deserted"byher"fanatical"son，wassomewhattakenabackbythequietdignityandperfectcontrolthatdistinguishedthelady’svoiceandmanner。

Afterthefirsteffusivekiss，whichMrs。FairbankshurriedtobestowandwhichMrs。Macgregorsufferedwithcalmsurprise，itbecamedifficulttogoonwiththeprogrammeoftearfulconsolationwhichhadbeenprepared。Thereseemedhardlyaplaceforsympathy，muchlessfortearfulconsolation，inthiswell—orderedhome，andwiththeseself—sufficientfolk。

"Wethoughtwewouldliketocomeoverand——and——help，perhapsdriveyoutothestationtoseeyoursonoff，"saidMrs。Fairbanks，whowasreadjustinghersceneryandchangingherrolewithallspeed。

"Thatwaskind，indeed，"saidMrs。Macgregor，"butHamishwillbewalking，Idoubt，andIwilljustbewaitingathome。"

Shehadtheinstinctofthewoundedtohideinsomeshelteredandfamiliarhaunt。

"Ishallbegladtoremainwithyou，Mrs。Macgregor，ifIcanbeofanyservice，"repeatedMrs。Fairbanks。

"Itwillnotbenecessary;everythingisdone，andthereisnothingneeded。"

Thevoicewasmorethanquiet，asifitcamefromaheartwhosepassionhadbeenspent。

"Itisverykind，indeed，andwearegrateful，"saidShock，feelingthathismother’smannermightbemisunderstood。

"Yess，yess，"saidtheoldladyhastily，"itissverygoodofyouandoftheyoungladies，"turningtolookatHelenwithkindlyeyes。

"Youwillnotbethinkingmeungrateful，"sheaddedwithasuspicionoftearsinhervoice。"IhavebeenspoiledbyHamishyonder，"

turningherfacetowardherson。

"Whistnow，mother，"saidHamishtoherinalowtone，inwhichdepreciationandwarningweremingled。Heknewhowhardthenexthourwouldbeforhimselfandforhismother，andheknew，too，thattheycouldnotindulgethemselvesintheluxuryofutteredgriefandlove。Atthismoment，tothereliefofall，Brownenteredwithanexaggeratedairofcarelessness。

"Here’samanforyour’settler’seffect，’"hecriedcheerily。

"Luckydog，ainthe，"hecried，turningtoHelen，"anddon’tIwishIwasinhisplace。Thinkofthetimeshewillhaveridingovertheclaimswiththosejollycowboys，nottospeakoftheclaimshewillbestaking，andthegoldhewillbewashingoutofthoseparishstreamsofhis。Don’tIwishIweregoing！Iam，too，whenIcanpersuadethoseoldiron—liveredprofessorstoletmethrough。

However，nextyearI’mtopass。Mrs。Macgregoristoseetothat。"

"Indeed，Ihopeso，"criedBetty，"anhour’sstudyatleast，beforebreakfastandnogallivantingatnight。Iwillhelpyou，Mrs。

Macgregor。Wewillgethimthroughthistime。"

"Ay，IdoubtIwillnotbemuchthebetterofyourhelp，"repliedMrs。Macgregor，withashrewdkindlysmile。

"Therenow，takethat，"saidBrowntoBetty，addingruefullytoShock，"YouseewhatI’minfor。"

"You’llsurvive，"saidShock。

Thenheroseandliftedhiscoatfromthepegbehindthedoor。AtthesameinstantHelenrosehurriedlyandwithpalingfacesaidtohermother:"Letusgonow。"

"Well，Mrs。Macgregor，ifwecannotserveyouwewillbegoing，"

saidMrs。Fairbanks;"butwewouldbegladtodriveMr。Macgregortothestation。"

Shewasanxioustojustifyhervisittoherselfandherfriends。

"That’safirst—rateidea，"criedBrown，"thatis，ifyoucangivemealift，too。"

"Ofcourse，"criedBetty。

"Thankyou，Ishallbeveryglad，"saidShock，seeingitwouldpleaseMrs。Fairbanks。

"Comealong，then，"saidBetty。"Isupposewehavenottoomuchtime。"

"Good—bye，forthepresent，"saidMrs。Fairbanks，offeringherhandtotheoldlady，whowasstandingerect，whitebutcalm，facingthehourwhosebitternessshehadalreadytasted。

"Good—bye，"saidBettysoftly，kissingthewhitecheek，andtryingtohurryhermothertowardsthedoor。

Atthis，Helen，whohadbeenstandingwithfacegrowingwhiterandwhiter，wenttoMrs。Macgregorandputherarmsaroundherandkissedhergood—bye。Whenshewasnearingthedoorshecamehurriedlyback。"Oh，letmestaywithyou。Icannotbeartogo，"shewhispered。

Theoldladyturnedandscrutinisedsteadilytheyoungfaceturnedsopleadinglytowardher。Slowlyunderthatsteadygazetheredcreptupintothewhitecheek，likethefirstdawningofday，tillthewholefaceandneckwereinahotflameofcolour。Yetthegrey，lustrouseyesneverwavered，but，unshrinking，answeredtheoldlady’ssearchinglook。AtthatrevealingwaveofcolourShock’smothermadeasiftopushthegirlawayfromher，but，withaquickchangeofmood，shetookherinherarmsinstead。

"Ay，poorlassie，youtoo！Yes，yes，youmaystaywithmenow。"

ThemotherlytouchandtoneandtheknowledgethathersecrethadbeenreadweremorethanHelencouldbear。SheclungtoMrs。

Macgregor，sobbingpassionatesobs。

AtthisextraordinaryoutburstMrs。FairbankscamebackintotheroomandstoodwithShockandtheothersgazinginutteramazementuponthisscene。

"Whistnow，lassie，whistnow，"Mrs。Macgregorwassaying，"neveryoufear，he’llcomebackagain。"

"Whatonearthisthisnonsense，Helen？"Mrs。Fairbanks’voicewashaughtyandsuspicious。"Whatdoesthismean？"

"Itmeans，"saidMrs。Macgregorwithquietdignity，"whatneitheryounorIcanhelporharm。"

"Helen，speaktome。"

AtthesterncommandHelenliftedherface，stillhotwithblushes，andstoodlookingstraightintohermother’seyes。Hermotherturnedfromherimpatiently。

"Doyouknowwhatthismeans？"shesaidtoShock。

"What？Idon’tunderstand，"repliedShock，gazinghelplesslyatthehaughty，angryfaceturnedtowardhim。

"Haveyoudaredtospeaktomydaughter？"

"Oh，mamma，"criedHelen，inanagonyofmortification，"howcanyou？"

"Youmaywellbeashamed，"saidMrs。Fairbanks，whohadquitelostcontrolofherself，"throwingyourselfattheheadofamansofarbeneathyou，withnoprospects，andwhodoesnotevenwantyou。"

"Sofarbeneath，didyousay？"criedMrs。Macgregorquickly。"Woman，saynomore。Youshameyourself，letaloneyourchild。Whist，"——

checkingtheother’sspeech——"thebloodintheveinsofHectorMacgregoryonder"（pointingtotheportraitoftheHighlandsoldieronthewall）"wasasproudasthatinanyLowlandtraderofyou。"

"Whatsortofconduct，then，isthis？"answeredMrs。Fairbanksangrily。"Haveyouencouragedyourson？"

"Hush，mother，"saidShock，suddenlyawakeningtoanunderstandingofwhatwashappening，"letmespeak。"

Thesternvoicecompelledsilence。Shockwasanewmantothemall。

Hewasthinkingquicklynowforhismother，forhimself，butmostofallforthegirlheloved，whostoodwithfaceturnedawayandeyescastdowninintolerablehumiliation。

"Mrs。Fairbanks，"saidShock，speakingslowlyandwithquietdignity，"ifIhavenotspokenoflovetoyourdaughter，itisnotbecauseIhavenotlovedherwellandforlong，butbecauseIcouldnotfeelmyselfworthyofher。Hush，mother;Iamnotworthyofher，norshallIeverbe，notbyreasonofanydifferenceinblood，——forthereisnodifference，——butbecauseofwhatsheisherself，sofaraboveme。Ihaveneverspokenwithmylipsoflove，andyetformanyandmanyadayIhavefearedthatmyeyes，andallelsethatcouldspeak，musthavetoldherIlovedher。Andifitshouldbe——forI

willnotpretendtomisunderstandyou——ifitshouldbethatitispossiblesheshouldeverloveme，thentherehascometomeajoygreaterthanIcouldhavehoped，andwhatevermay，comeofit，thisdayisthehappiestofmylife。"

AsShockbegantospeak，Helenliftedherface，andasshelistenedherlookofgriefandshamefled，andinhereyesalightofjoybegantodawn，thengrewtillitseemedtooverflowinwavesacrossherbeautifulface。AndasShockcontinuedhiscalm，manlywordspridemingledinherjoy，andherheadlifteditselfwithagraceanddignitythatmatchedthatoftheoldladystandingbyherside。

Mrs。FairbanksstoodfairlyspeechlessatShock’swordsandatthelookofjoyandprideshesawuponherdaughter’sface。

"Thisisabsurd！"shecriedatlength。"It’spreposterous，anditmustendnowandforever。Iforbidabsolutelyanythinginthewayof——ofengagementorunderstanding。Iwillnothavemydaughtertieherselftoamanwithsuchprospects。"

"Wait，mother，"saidShock，puttinghishandouttowardtheoldlady，whowasabouttospeak。"Mrs。Fairbanks，"hecontinuedquietly，"farbeitfrommetotakeadvantageofyourdaughterinanyway，andIsaytoyouherethatsheisasfreenowaswhenshecameintothisroom。Ishallnotaskhertobindherselftome，butIwillbefalsetomyself，andfalsetoher，ifIdonotsaythatI

loveherasdearlyasmaneverlovedwoman，andcomewhatmay，I

shalllovehertillIdie。"

TheringinShock’svoiceashespokethelastwordsthrilledeveryoneintheroom。

"Ay，ladthatyouwill，"saidhismotherproudly。

"Oh，ainthegreat，"whisperedBrowntoBetty，whoinherexcitementhaddrawnclosetohim。Bettyrespondedwithalook，butcouldnottrustherselftospeak。

Themomentwaspregnantwithpossibilities。

AsShockfinishedspeaking，Helen，withanindescribableminglingofshygraceandcalmstrength，cameandstoodbyhisside。ForthefirsttimeShocklostcontrolofhimself。Heflushedhotly，thengrewpale，thenwithaslightlydefiantlookinhisface，heputhisarmlightlyabouther。

"Timeforthattrain，"saidBrown，whohadslippedtotheouterdoor。"Thatis，"hecontinuedinhisbriskestmanner，"ifyou’regoing。"

WithaquickgaspHelenturnedtowardsShock。Hetightenedhisarmaboutthegirl，andputtinghishanduponhershoulder，turnedherfacetowardhimandlookeddownintoherface。

"Good—bye，"hesaidgently。"Rememberyouarefree，freeaseveryouwere。Ihavenoclaimuponyou，butdon’tforgetthatIwillalwaysloveyou。Iwillneverforgetyou。"

"Good—bye，Shock，"sherepliedinalow，sweettone，liftingherfacetohim。"Iwillnotforget。YouknowIwillnotforget。"

Sheslippedherarmaroundhisneck，andwhilehisgreatframetrembledwithemotionsheheldhimfast。

"I’llnotforget，"shesaidagain，thelightinhergreatgreyeyesquenchedinaquickrushoftears。"Youknow，Shock，Iwillnotforget。"Herlipsquiveredpiteously。

ThenShockcastrestrainttothewinds。"No，"hecriedaloud，"youwillnotforget，thankGod，youwillnotforget，andyouaremine！"

Hedrewherclosetohim，heldheramomentortwo，lookingintohereyes，andasshelaylimpandclinginginhisarmshekissedheronthebrow，andthenonthelips，andgavehertohismother。

"Here，mother，"hesaid，"takeher，begoodtoher，loveherformysake。"

Heputhisarmsaroundhismother，kissedhertwice，andwasgone。

"He’llnevergetthattrain，"criedBetty。

"Takethecarriage，"saidMrs。Fairbanksshortly，"andfollowhim。"

"Comealong！hurry！"saidBetty，catchingBrown’sarm。

"Thestation，John！"

"Oh，Isay，"gaspedBrown，seizingBetty’shandandcrushingitecstatically，"mayIembraceyou？It’seitheryouorJohnthere。"

"Dobequiet。ItseemstomewehavehadasmuchofthatsortofthingasIcanstand。Wasn’titawful？"

"Awful？Awfullyjolly！"gaspedBrown，hugginghimself。"Haven’thadathrillapproachingthatsincetheMcGillmatch，andeventhatwasonlyapaleadumbrationofwhatI’vejustbeenthrough。"

"I’msureIdon’tknowwhattothink。It’ssodreadfullystartling。"

"Startling！"criedBrown。"Comenow，MissBetty，youdon’tmeantosayyouhaven’tseenthisgrowingforthepastsixmonths！"

"No，trulyIhaven’t。"

"Well，that’sonlybecauseyouhavebeensooccupiedwithyourownaffairs。"

"Nonsense，"criedBettyindignantly，withasuddenflameofcolourinhercheeks。"You’requiterude。"

"Idon’tcareforanythingnow，"criedBrownrecklessly。"Myprayers，tears，andalms—givinghaven’tbeenwithoutavail。TheterrorsandagoniesI’veenduredthislastfewdayslestthatoldblockheadshouldtakehimselfoffwithoutsayingordoinganything，nomanwilleverknow。Andhewouldhavegoneoff，too，haditnotbeenforthatluckyflukeofyourmother’s。DoyoumindifIyell？"

"Hush！Here，letmyhandgo，it’squiteuseless，"saidBetty，lookingatthatmemberwhichBrownhadjustrelinquished。

"John，"gravelyenquiredBrown，"areyouusingbothyourhands？"

"Ibegpardon，sir，"enquiredtheastonishedcoachman，halfturninground。

"Here，dostopyournonsense，"criedBettyinashockedvoice。

"Oh，allright，John，thiswilldo，"saidBrown，seizingBetty’shandagain，asJohngavehisattentiontothehorses。

"Isay，pullupbesideMr。Macgregorthere，willyou？Here，Shock，getin。You’llmissyourtrain。Here，youoldbloke，comealong，don’tgapelikeasickduck。Getinhere。Youhavegottogetthattrainnow。"

"Mr。Brown，"saidBettyinaseverewhisper，"mind，don’tsayawordtohimaboutthisbusiness。Ican’tstandit。"

"Certainlynot，"saidBrown，inamatteroffacttone。"There’snothingtobesaid。"

Buttherewasonelastwordtobesaid，andthatwasBetty’s。

"Good—bye，Shock，"shewhisperedtohim，ashesteppeduponhistrain。"Ithink——Iknow——I’mveryglad。"

PoorShockcouldonlygraspherhandinmutefarewell。Itwasjustdawninguponhimthathehadsomefurtherofferingtobringtomakehissacrificecomplete。

VI

ONTHETRAIL

"That’sthetrail。LoonLakeliesyonder。"

Shock’sConvener，whohadchargeforhisChurchofthisdistrict，stoodbythebuck—boardwheelpointingsouthwest。Hewasamanaboutmiddlelife，rathershortbutwellsetup，withastrong，honestface，tannedandbearded，redeemedabundantlyfromcommonnessbytheeye，deepblueandfearless，thatspokeofthegeniusinthesoul。

Itwasakindlyfacewithal，andwithhumourlurkingabouttheeyesandmouth。DuringthedayandnightspentwithhimShockhadcometofeelthatinthismantherewasanchorageforanywhomightfeelthemselvesadrift，andsomehowthegreatWest，withitslongleaguesofemptyprairiethroughwhichhehadpassed，travellingbytheslowprogressofconstructiontrains，wouldnowseemalittlelessemptybecauseofthisman。BetweenthenewfieldtowardwhichthistrailledandthehomeandfolkinthefarEasttherewouldalwaysbethismanwhowouldknowhim，andwouldsometimesbethinkingofhim。ThethoughtheartenedShockmorethanalittle。

"That’sthetrail，"repeatedtheConvener;"followthat;itwillleadyoutoyourhome。"

"Home！"thoughtShockwithatugathisheartandaqueerlittlesmileonhisface。

"Yes，aman’shomeiswherehisheartis，andhisheartiswherehisworklies。"

Shockglancedquicklyattheman’stannedface。Didhesuspect，Shockwondered，thehomesicknessandthelonginginhisheart？

Lastnight，astheyhadsattogetherinlatetalk，hehaddrawnfromShockwithcunningskill（thosewhoknewhimwouldrecognisethetrick）thepictureofhisnewmissionary’shome，andhadinterpretedarightthethrillinthevoicethattoldoftheoldladyleftbehind。Butnow，asShockglancedathisConvener’sface，therewasnothingtoindicateanyhiddenmeaninginhiswords。Thespeaker’seyeswerefardownthetrailthatwoundlikeawaveringwhiteribbonovertheyellow—greenbillowsofprairiethatreachedtothehorizonbeforeanduptothegreatmountainsontheright。

"TwentymileswillbringyoutoSpruceCreekstopping—place;twentymilesmoreandyouareatBigRiver——notsoverybigeither。Youwillseetherealittleschoolandbesideit，ontheleft，alittlehouse——youmightcallitashack，butwemakethemostofthingsouthere。That’sMr。McIntyre’smanse，andproudofittheyallare，I

cantellyou。Youwillstaywithhimovernight——afinefellowyouwillfindhim，aNovaScotian，verysilent;andbetterthanhimselfisthelittlebravewomanhehasforawife;areallysuperiorwoman。Isometimeswonder——butnevermind，forpeopledoubtlesswonderatourwives:onecannevergetatthebottomofthemysteryofwhysomewomendoit。Theywillseeyouonyourway。Uptothistimehewasthelastmanwehadinthatdirection。Nowyouareouroutpost——adistinctionIenvyyou。"

TheConvener’sblueeyewasalightwithenthusiasm。Thecallofthenewlandwaseverringinginhisheart，andthesoundofthestrifeatthefrontinhisear。

UnconsciouslyShockdrewinalongbreath，thehomesicknessandheart—longinggavebackbeforethespiritofhighcourageandenterprisewhichbreathedthroughthewordsofthelittlemanbesidehim，whosefamewasinalltheWesternChurch。

"Upthesevalleyssomewhere，"continuedtheConvener，wavinghishandstowardsthesouthernsky—line，"arethemen——theranchersandcowboysItoldyouoflastnight。Somegoodmen，andsomeofthemdevils——mengoodbynature，devilsbycircumstance，poorfellows。

Theywon’twantyou，perhaps，buttheyneedyoubadly。AndtheChurchwantsthem，and"——afteralittlepause——"Godwantsthem。"

TheConvenerpaused，stilllookingatthedistantflowinghills。

ThenheturnedtoShockandsaidsolemnly，"Welooktoyoutogetthem。"

Shockgasped。"Tome！togetthem！"

"Yes，that’swhatweexpect。Why！doyouremembertheoldchapI

toldyouabout——thatoldprospectorwholivesatLoonLake？——youwillcomeacrosshim，unlesshehasgonetothemountains。Forthirteenyearsthatmanhashuntedthegulchesformines。Thereareyourmines，"wavinghishandagain，"andyouareourprospector。Digthemup。Good—bye。Godblessyou。Reporttomeinsixmonths。"

TheConvenerlookedathisfingersafterShockhadleft，spreadingthemapart。"Well，whatthatchapgripshe’llholduntilhewantstoletitgo，"hesaidtohimself，wrinklinghisfaceintoacurioussmile。

Nowandthenashewalkedalongthetrailheturnedandlookedafterthebuckboardheadingtowardthesouthernhorizon，butneveroncedidhismissionarylookback。

"Ithinkhewilldo。Hemadeamessofmyservicelastnight，butI

supposehewasrattled，andthennoonecouldbemoredisgustedthanhe，whichisnotabadsign。Hisheart’sallright，andhewillwork，buthe’sslow。He’sundoubtedlyslow。Thosefellowswillgivehimatime，Ifear，"andagaintheConvenersmiledtohimself。Ashecametothebrowofthehill，wherethetraildippedintotheriverbottominwhichthelittletownlaythatconstitutedthenucleusofhisparish，hepausedand，oncemoreturning，lookedafterthediminishingbuckboard。"Hewon’tlookback，eh！Allright，myman。I

likeyoubetterforit。Itmusthavebeenahardpulltoleavethatdearoldladybehind。Hemightbringherout。Therearejustthetwoofthem。Well，wewillsee。It’sprettycloseshaving。"

Hewasthinkingofthethreatenedcutinthealreadymeagresalariesofhismissionaries，renderednecessarybythedisproportionbetweenthegrowthofthefundsandtheexpansionofthework。

"It’sashame，too，"hesaid，turningandlookingoncemoreafterShockincasethereshouldbeafinalsignaloffarewell，whichhewouldbesorrytomiss。

"They’reevidentlyeverythingtoeachother。"ButitwasanoldproblemwiththeConvener，whosesolutionlaynotwithhim，butwiththechurchthatsenthimouttodothiswork。

MeantimeShock’seyeswereuponthetrail，andhisheartwasringingwiththatlastwordofhisConvener。"Weexpectyoutogetthem。Youareourprospector，digthemup。"Ashethoughtoftheworkthatlaybeforehim，andofallhewasexpectedtoachieve，hisheartsank。