\"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。