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。