Shockhadearlyrecognisedthattheevilswhichweresorampant，andthatexercisedsuchabanefulinfluenceinthecommunity，wereduenotsomuchtoanyinherentloveofviceastotheconditionsunderwhichthemenwereforcedtolive。Lifewasalonelythingontheranges，withoutcolour，withoutvariety，andmenplungedintodebaucheryfromsheerdesperatereactionfrommonotony。Shockbelievedthat，iftherecouldbeestablishedasocialcentreofferingintellectualinterestandphysicalrecreation，muchcouldbedonetobanishthevicesthatwerefastbecomingimbeddedintheverylifeandcharacterofthepeople。Andsoheplannedtheerectionofabuildingthatwouldserveforchurch，manse，club—
house，schoolroom，andlibrary，andwouldthusbecomeaspotaroundwhichthelifeofthecommunitymightgatherinacleanandwholesomeatmosphere。HeappealedtotheChurchManseBuildingFundforagrant，hedrewhisplansforhisbuilding，andthroughoutthesummerquietlysetaboutgatheringhismaterials。Oneandanotherofhisfriendshewouldpersuadetohaulaloadoflogsfromthehills，andwithgood—naturedpersistencehewouldgetaday’sworknowandagainfromtheyoungfellowswhofrequentlyhadmoretimeontheirhandsthantheyknewhowtoreasonablymakeuseof，withtheresultthatbeforetheywerewellawareofwhatwasbeingdonealogbuildingstoodreadyfortheroofingandplaster。Hissuccessstimulatedhisfriendstomoreorganisedandcontinuedeffort。Theybegantoviewitheachotherinmakingcontributionsofworkandmaterialforthenewbuilding。Macnamarafurnishedlime，Martindrewsand，SinclairandTheKid，whohadthebesthorsesandwagons，drewlumberfromthemillattheFort;andbythetimesummerwasgonethebuilding，roofed，chinked，andplastered，onlyrequiredafewfinishingtouchestobereadyfortheopening。Indeed，itwasamostcreditablestructure。Itwasalarge，roomy，two—storybuilding，thedownstairsofwhichwasgivenuptoaroomtobedevotedtopublicuses。TheupstairsShockplannedtocontainfourbed—rooms。
\"Whatdoyouwantoffourbed—rooms，Mr。Prospector？\"saidIke，astheywerelayingoutthespace。\"Youcan’tsleepinmore’nthreeof’ematatime。\"
\"No，butyoucansleepinone，Ike，andsomeoftheboysinanother，andIwantonemyself。\"
\"Oh！\"saidIke，muchpleased。\"Goingtorunakindofstoppin’
place，areyou？\"
\"Yes;Ihopemyfriendswillstopwithmeoften。\"
\"Guessyouwon’thavemuchtroublewiththatsideofit，\"saidIke。
\"Andthishereroom，\"hecontinued，\"willdofirstrateforakindoflumber—room，provisions，andharness，andsuchlike，Iguess？\"
\"No，\"saidShock。\"Thisroomwillbethefinestroominthehouse。
See:itwilllookawayouttowardthesouthandwest，overthelake，anduptothemountains。Theinsideoftheroomwon’tbehardtobeat，buttheoutsidecannotbeequalledinalltheworld，andI
tellyouwhat，Ike，itcannotbetoogood，forthisroomisformymother。\"Therewasareverent，tendertoneinShock’svoicethattouchedIke。
\"Isshereallygoin’tocomeouthere？\"heasked。
\"Ihopeso，\"saidShock。\"Nextspring。\"
\"Isay，\"saidIke，\"won’tshefinditlonely？\"
\"Idon’tthinkso，\"saidShock，withacurioussmile。\"Youknow，mymotherisratherpeculiar。Fortwenty—fiveyears，withoutmissingasinglenight，shecameintomyroomtokissmebeforeIwenttosleep，andshe’sjustthatfoolishthatifI’manywherearoundI
don’tthinkshe’llbelonely。\"AndthenShockproceededtogiveIkeapictureofhismother，andallherdevotiontohimthroughthelongyearsofhislife。Theroughbuttender—heartedcowboywasmoretouchedthanhecaredtoshow。
\"Say，\"hesaid，whenShockhadfinished，\"howdidyouevercometoleaveher？Icouldn’t’a’doneit，nohow。\"
\"Shesentme，\"saidShocksimply。\"There’sOneshelovesbetterthanme。\"AndIkeunderstoodwithoutmoreexplanation。
Forthefurnishingofthehouse，andfortheequipmentofthelibraryandclub—rooms，ShockhadappealedtohisfriendsintheEastthroughBrown，towhomhegaveafulldescriptionofthebuildingandthepurposesforwhichithadbeenerected。Theresponsewassoheartyandsogenerousthat，whentheloadsofhouse—furnishings，books，magazines，andpapersarrived，Shock’sheartwasfulltooverflowingwithgratitude，and，whenalittlelaterhereceivednoticethatacabinetorganhadarrivedattherailroaddepot，hefeltthatthedifficultiesandtrialsofamissionary’slifewerefewandsmallincomparisonwiththetriumphsandrewards。
Atlengtheverythingwasinplaceandthebuildingreadyfortheopening。Thepreparationsforthisgreateventwereinthehandsofacommittee，ofwhichTheKidwaschairman;thedecorationswerelefttoIkeandPerault;theprogrammewaslefttoTheKid，assistedbyMarion，whohadbeenpersuadednotonlytosing，herself，buthadagreedtotraintheschoolchildreninsomeactionsongs。Therewastobeagrandsupper，ofcourse，——nothingWesternwouldbecompletewithoutthatfeature，——andinadditiontotheordinaryspeechesandmusicalnumberstherewastobeanigger—minstrelshowwithclog—
dancingfurnishedbytheminersandlumbermenfromthePass，atShock’surgentinvitation。ThewholeaffairwastobewoundupbyagrandpromenadeheadedbyyoungMalcolmForbes，sonofaHighlandchief，ashyyoungfellowwhomShockhaddugupfromaremotevalley，andwhowastoappearinfullHighlandcostumewithhispipes。Smallwonderthatthewholecommunity，fromtheForttothePass，wastinglingwithdelightedanticipation。Suchaneventwasnotonlyimportantofitself，butitwashailedastheinaugurationofanewerainthecountry，forwithchurch，school，library，andclubtheywouldbeabreastofthemostadvancedEasterncivilisation。
NotonlywerethepeopleoftheLoonLakedistrictstirredwithinterestintheopeningoftheirnewbuilding，buttoafargreaterextentthantheyknewtheirconfidenceandeventheiraffectionhadgatheredaboutthemantowhoseenergythewholeenterprisewasdue。
Duringthesemonthstheyhadcometorelyuponhisjudgmentasamanofaffairs，totrusthimforhistruehumanheart，andtoregardhimwithreverenceasonetouchedwithaspiritunlikethatoftheworldwithwhichtheywerefamiliar——aspiritofgeneroussympathywiththeminalltheirmultitudinoustrialsanddifficulties，aspiritthatmadehimthinknothingofhimselfandmuchofthem。Herepresentedtothemreligioninamanneratoncewinningandimpressive，asfewofthemhadeverseenitrepresentedbefore。
Atlengththegreatdaycame，andwithitthegatheringofthepeoplefromallpartsfarandnear。AfewfarmerswholivedtowardtheFortcamewiththeirwivesandchildreninhorse—wagonsandox—
wagons;therancherswiththeirfamiliesdroveforthemostpartinDEMOCRATSandbuckboards;butmanyoftheranchersandtheirwivesandallthecowboyscameonhorseback。TherehadneverbeensuchagatheringatLoonLakewithinthememoryoftheoldesttimer。Thepreparationsforsupperwereelaborateandimpressive。Itwasimportantthatthispartoftheevening’sproceedingsshouldgooffwell。AsShock，passingupanddown，witnessedtheaboundinghilarityofthosewhothrongedthesupper—tableshismindwasrelievedofallanxietyastothesuccessoftheentertainmenttofollow。WithgreatdifficultySinclair，whowasashyman，waspersuadedtopresideaschairman。ItwasonlythepromiseofShocktosupporthimontheonesideandofFatherMike，whowasalmostasmuchinterestedinthesuccessoftheentertainmentasShockhimself，ontheother，thatinducedSinclairfinallytoacceptthisresponsibleandhonourableposition。ItwasindeedanhouroftriumphtoShockandhisfellow—workers，andastheentertainmentprogressedtheygatheredsatisfactiontothefullfromthemanifestationsofdelightonthepartoftheaudiencethatpackedthebuildingtothedoors。
Aftertheentertainmenthadwellbegunastrangerappearedatthedooraskingfortheminister。
\"Well，\"saidIke，whowasperformingtheresponsibledutyofdoor—
keeper，\"youcan’tseehim，notnow。What’srequired？\"
\"Iguessit’sprettyimportant，\"thestrangersaid。
\"It’satelegram。Infact，it’sbadnews，soMr。McIntyreofBigRiversaid。\"
\"Badnews！\"exclaimedIke。\"Mightybadtimetobringbadnews。Whycouldn’tyouwait？\"
\"Somethingscan’twait，\"saidthemanbriefly。\"Guessyou’dbetterreadit，it’sopen。\"
\"Notme，\"saidIke，shrinkingfromthisliberty。\"SendforTheKid。\"
InafewmomentsTheKidappearedand，takingthetelegramfromIke，readit。
\"TheLordhelpus！\"heexclaimedashereadthewire。HetookIketoonesideawayfromthecrowdandreadhimthewords:\"’Yourmotherseriouslyill。Doctorsholdoutnohopeofrecovery。Signed，BROWN。’\"
\"Hismother！Say，boss，what’llwedo？Hethinksamightylotofhismother。I’veheerdhimtalk。Thiswillpurtynighkillhim，I
guess。\"
Theystoodforsomemomentslookingblanklyateachother，unwillingtodelivertheblowwhichtheyknewwouldstrikedeepintotheheartofthemantheyhadcometolove。
\"Hemustbetold，\"saidTheKidatlength。\"Let’ssee——he’llwanttogettotheendoftheline，anyway，andthat’soverahundredmilesfromhere。Isay，Ike，you’dbettertellhim，Iguess。\"
\"Well，\"saidIkeslowly，\"thatthere’sapurtyparticularbitofdiplomatics，andIaintusedtoit。Isay，\"withasuddeninspiration，\"youtellhim。\"
\"Couldn’tdoit，Ike。HowwoulditdotogetFatherMikeorSinclair？\"
\"Yes，\"saidIkemeditatively，\"they’ddoallrightifweweren’there，butIguesswebelongtohim’mostmorethantheydo。\"
\"That’sso，Ike，\"saidTheKidquickly。\"That’sso;it’soneofus。\"
\"Yes，it’soneofus，\"saidIke，\"andifIcoulddoitwell，boss，youwouldn’tseenobuck。\"
\"Allright，Ike，\"saidTheKid，drawingalongbreath。\"I’lldoit。\"
\"I’llrememberit，boss，\"saidIke。\"Guessthereaintmuchtimetolose。Howisheagoin’togitthere？\"
\"TaketheSwallow，Ike，\"saidTheKid。\"She’sgoodforahundredmiles。\"
\"Mr。McIntyre’steamwillbereadytogofromhisplace，\"saidthestranger，whohadcomenear。
\"Good！\"saidTheKid。\"Whereareyougoing，Ike？\"
\"Togitthehorses。He’llwanttogitrightoff。IguessI’llputhimonSlipper，andI’lltaketheSwallow。Slipperridespurtyeasy，andhe’sapurtybigman。\"
\"Allright，Ike，\"saidTheKid。\"Remembereveryminuteisprecious。
Here，Mac，\"hecontinued，turningtoMacnamara，whostoodlookinginatthedoor，craninghisnecktoseeandhearwhatwasgoingon，\"sliparoundtothesidedoorandtellMr。MacgregorthatIwanthimrightaway。\"
InafewminutesShockcamerunningoutinhighspirits，elatedwiththesuccessoftheevening。\"Hello，oldboy！\"hecriedtoTheKid。
\"It’sgreat，isn’tit？You’reagreatconcertconductor！Whatdoyouwantmefor？\"
TheKidtookhimbythearmandledhimawayinsilencetowardtheOldProspector’sshack，whichstoodnearby。
\"What’sthematter，Stanton;anythinggonewrong？\"StillTheKidmadenoreply;but，walkingtothedooroftheshack，openedit，andwentinandlitthelamp。\"Sitdown，\"hesaid，pushingShockintoachair。\"Ihavesomethingtotellyou。There’s——there’sbadnews，I’mafraid。I’llwaitoutside。\"Heputthetelegramdown，wenthastilyout，andclosedthedoor，leavingShocktofacetheblowwherenoeyecouldsee。
ItseemedanhourtoTheKidbeforeIkecameupwiththeSwallowandSlippersaddledandreadyforthejourney。
\"Whereishe？\"saidIke，inawhisper。
\"Inthere，\"repliedTheKid，withagroan。\"Godhelphim！\"
\"IguessHewill。Heoughtto，\"saidIkegravely，\"Gotgrub，Ike，andblankets？\"
Ikenodded，pointingtothesackstrappedtothesaddle。
\"Heoughttostart，\"saidTheKidnervously，\"Thatwire’stwodaysoldnow。Itwilltaketillto—morrownighttoreachtownevenifeverythinggoesright，andeverymomentcounts。Bettergoin，\"hecontinued，\"andtellhimthehorsesareready。\"
Ikenoddedandwenttowardthecloseddoor，openeditsoftly，andwentin。HefoundShocksittingatthetablegazingvacantlyatthetelegraminhishandasiftryingtotakeinitsmeaning。HelookedupatIkeasheenteredand，handinghimthetelegram，said:
\"It’smymother，Ike。Doyouremembermymother？\"
\"Yes，Iknow，\"repliedIke，approachinghimtimidlyandlayingahandawkwardlyonhisshoulder。\"Idon’twanttopresume，\"hecontinued，\"butIwaswonderin’iftherewasanyonewhocouldhelpyoutostandit？\"
\"Thereis，thereisOne，thereis。\"
\"That’sallright，then，\"saidIke，asifanimportantmatterhadbeensettled。\"Thehorsesareready。\"
\"Thehorses？\"saidShock，withapuzzledair。
\"Yes;thoughtyou’dwanttoridetotowntogettosendawireorsomethin’。\"
\"OfcourseIdo;thankyou。I’llgotoheratonce。WhatafoolI
am！\"Herosehastilyashespoke，changedhiscoat，andgettinghishatandridingglovescameouttowhereTheKidstoodwiththehorses。
\"Why，it’stheSwallow，andSlipper！\"hesaid，\"Boys，thisisgoodofyou。\"
TheKidstoodwithoutaword，lookingatShock’swhite，dazedface。
Hecouldnottrusthisvoicetospeak。
\"You’dbestgetontoSlipper，\"saidIke。\"Rideseasyandismightysure。TheSwallow’sallright，ofcourse，\"hecontinuedapologeticallytoTheKid，\"butaleetlelight\"
\"ButIdon’twantboth，\"saidShock。
\"Oh！IguessI’llgoalong，\"declaredIke。\"Iknowthetrailsandshort—cutsalittlebetter。Cansavetime，perhaps。Thatis，\"headded，\"ifyoudon’tmindmygoin’along。\"
\"That’sawfullygoodofyou，Ike，\"saidShock。\"Ishallbegladtohaveyou。\"
\"Good—bye，Kiddie，\"saidShockaffectionately，holdingouthishandtoTheKid。\"Icannotsay，muchjustnow，butIappreciatethiskindness，my，boy。\"
\"Don’t，don’t！\"saidTheKid，inahuskywhisper。\"IwishtoHeavenIcouldhelpyou。Good—bye。\"
\"Good—bye，\"saidShock，takingupthereins。\"Oh！Isay，Kid，don’ttellanyoneto—night。Keepthethinggoing;itwouldbeapitytospoiltheirfun，youknow。Youcandothisforme，can’tyou？\"
\"Icantry，\"saidTheKid，settinghisteethtogether。
Hestoodlookingafterthemastheywentupthetrailinthemoonlight\"Oh！thiscursedcountry！\"hegroaned。\"It’ssofarfromanyplace。He’llneverseeheragain，I’msure。Well，ImustkeepthisthinggoingasIpromised。ButsomeofthenumberI’llcutout，youcanbet。\"
Straightonthroughthemoonlightrodethetwomen，theonetryingtomakerealthewordsthatmarchedwithceaselesstrampacrosshisbrain:\"Doctorsholdoutnohopeofrecovery。\"Theyseemedlikewordsoffirewrittenacrosstheprairie。Theother，ridingalittlebehind，exceptwherethetrailgrewdifficultorindistinct，silentbutalertforopportunitytoofferaidorshowsympathy，governingcarefullythepacesothatthebestpossiblespeedcouldbegotoutofthesuperbanimalsthatwiththeirswinginglopecoveredthelongslopesupanddown。ThememoryofthatridetoShockinafteryearswaslikethatofaghastlynightmare，astrangeinterminglingofmoonlightandshadow;themurmurofthenightwindabouthisears;
thesteadybeatofthehoofsuponthebeatentrail;thepauseatmidnightbytheupperfordoftheBlackDogtofeedandresttheirhorses;andthenthesteadyonwardpushthroughthenighttillthegreyandgoldoftheeasternskytoldthatthemorninghadcome。Hecouldneverforgethowthefirstbeamsoftherisingsunsmotehiseyeslikethecutofawhiptillhewasalmostforcedtocryoutinhispain。Herememberedhowitseemedtohimasifhewereinthegripofsomemysteriousforceimpellinghimonwardinthatunending，relentlesslope。Anotherpauseatsunrisetogivethehorsesbreath，andthenonagaintheyrodethroughthatterribleredlightoftherisingsun，tillatlengthinthestillearlyforenoonthemanseofBigRiverwasreached。Theirhorseswerejadedandleg—weary，forinthethirteenhoursduringwhichtheyhadkeptuptheirlong，swinginggaittheyhadcoveredmorethanahundredmiles。
TheMcIntyreswereexpectingthem。
\"Wewantspeakabouthismother，dear，\"saidthelittlewomanofthemanse，withawarmfeelinginherheartforthemissionarywhohadspentanightwiththemsomesevenmonthsago，andhadtoldthemsosimplyandfullyofhislife，astoryofwhichtheheartandsoulhadbeenhismother。\"Ithurtstospeakofthesethingsforawhile，\"sheadded。
\"Yes，mydarling，Iknow，\"saidherhusband，hiseyeslingeringtenderlyuponthefacelookingsosweet，butsowanandpaleabovetheblackdressandcrepecollar。\"Weknow，weknow，darling，\"herepeated，takingherinhisarms。Theywereboththinkingofthelittlemoundlookingsosmalluponthewideprairie，smallbutbigenoughtoholdalltheirheart’streasure。Forfivemonthsthemansehadbeenoverrunningwithheaven’sownlight;andwithjoythatrippledandflowedfrombabylaughter，thatlurkedindimpledfingersanddimpledtoesanddimpledcheeks，everydimpleawelloflightandjoy——andthenthelittlemoundwithitswhiterailing，andonlytheechoesofthelaughterandthememoryofthedimpledfingers，toes，andcheeks，——andtheemptymanse！ItwasthismemorythatmadetheirwelcomeofShocksofulloftenderunderstanding。
Thereisnospeechlikeheart—speech，andduringthehourintheBigRivermansetoShock’shearttherecame——howhecouldnothavetold—
—theinarticulatemessageofsympathythathealedandcomforted，sothathedroveawayrestedandrefreshedaswithsleep。AstheywerehitchinguptheteamIkefoundopportunitytowhispertoShock:\"I
say，p’rhapsyou’dratherhe’dgowithyou;he’dhelpyoumore，p’rhaps？\"
\"No，no，Ike;don’tleaveme;Iwantyou，\"Shockhadreplied。
\"Allright，boss;thatsuitsme，\"wasIke’sanswer，gladthathisofferhadnotbeenaccepted。
\"Good—bye，\"saidMr。McIntyre，wavinghishand。\"Donotsparethem，Ike，\"hecontinued。\"TheycanmakeSpruceCreekintwohoursandahalfeasily。\"
\"I’lltakecareo’them，\"saidIke，swingingthefiery，half—brokenbronchosontothetrail。\"They’doughttodoalittlebetterthanthat，Ijudge。\"Andtheydid;for，whenthebuckboarddrewupattheSpruceCreekStoppingPlaceIkeremarkedtoBillLee，whostoodinhisusualpositionleaningagainstthedoor:\"TwohoursfromBigRiver，andnotmuchtheworse，Iguess。\"
Bill’swelcomeofShockwasalmosteffusiveinitsheartiness，butIkecuthimshort。
\"Isay，Bill，\"hecalledout，walkingtothestable;\"gotanyoatsinhere？\"
\"Oh，afew。Ikeepsomeforthoroughbreds，youknow。\"AndhewalkedafterIkeintothestable。
Ikebegantalkingrapidlyandinalowtone。AsBilllistenedhebecameunusuallyexcited。\"Eh！What！No。Say，that’sbad，tooblankbad！Hismother，eh？Myteam？Certainly。Theretheyare，fitforagooddozenanhour。Put’emrightin。\"
IntenminutesBill’steam，theprideofhisheart，werehitchedtothebuckboard。
\"Allright，Bill，\"saidIke，takingthereins。
\"Allright，Ike，\"repliedBill。\"Theirskindon’tsaymuch，buttheycantalkwiththeirfeetafew。Let’emgo。Theywon’trunaway。\"
TheperformanceofBill’sbony，shaggyteammorethanjustifiedtheirowner’spromise。Theydid\"talkwiththeirfeet，\"andtosuchgoodpurposethatinlessthantwohoursShockstoodatthedoorofhisConvener’shouse，hismindbewildered，hissensesnumbedfromtheterriblestrainthroughwhichhehadpassed。
\"Comein，mydearfellow，\"saidtheConvener，whohadevidentlybeenexpectinghim，\"comerightin。\"
ButShockstoodatthedoor。\"Isthereanyword？\"heenquired，withavoicevoidofallemotion。
\"Nothingfurther。\"
\"Whendoesthetraingo？\"
\"Thetrain？Oh，attwointhemorning。\"
\"Howlongdoesittake？\"
\"Fivedays。\"
\"Fivedays！\"echoedShock，inavoiceofdespair。
\"Youmightwireamessageinthemeantime，\"saidtheConvenerkindly。\"Wewillgodowntothetelegraphofficeafteryouhavehadarestandacupoftea。\"
\"No，no，\"saidShock，turningeagerlyfromthedoor。\"Iamallright;cannotwegonow？\"
Atthetelegraphofficeanumberofmenstoodlaughingandtalking。
Shockdrewablanksheettowardhimandsethimselftocomposehiswire。Againandagainhemadetheattempt，butatlengthheputdownthepenandlookedaroundpiteouslyathisfriend。\"Icannotsayit！\"heexclaimedinahurriedwhisper。
\"Comeoutsideaminute，\"saidtheConvener，takinghisarm。\"NowtellmewhatyouwanttosayandperhapsIcanhelpyou。\"
\"Oh！\"criedShock，wreathinghisgreatfingersanhisagony。\"Iwanttosaygoodbye——No，no，notthat！Iwanttotellher——givehermyloveandsayIwanttoseeher。Shewillbewantingme。\"Hisbreathbegantocomeingreatheavingsobs。
\"Letmetry，\"saidhisfriend。\"Youstayouthere。\"
AftersomemomentstheConvenerreturnedandhandedShockapaperonwhichhehadwritten:\"Godkeepyou，motherdear。Myheart’slovetoyou。ShallIcome？\"
\"Willthatdo？\"heasked。
\"Yes，yes;thankyou。Thatisgood。\"
\"Now，\"saidtheConvener，whentheyhadreachedthehouse，\"youmustrest。\"
\"Iamnottired，\"saidShock，asifinsurprise。
\"Mydearfellow，youarehalfdead。\"
\"No，Iamquiteright，andbesides，there’sIke。IoughttolookafterIke。\"
\"Don’tyouworryaboutIke，\"saidtheConvener。\"He’sabletolookafterhimself;besidesI’lllookhimupwhenIgetyoutosleep。
Comenow，\"andheledhimintothetinybedroom。\"Yougetintobed;
I’llbringyouacupofteaandyoucansleep。Noonewilldisturbyou，and，I’llwakeyouattherighttime，neverfear。\"
\"Idon’tthinkIamsleepy，\"saidShock;butwheninafewminuteshisfriendcamebackwithhiscupofteahefoundShockinasleepsoprofoundthathehadnotthehearttowakehim。\"Poorchap，poorchap！\"saidtheConvener，lookingdownuponthestrong，ruggedface，nowsohaggard。\"Thisisahardcountry！\"
ForhoursShocklaydeadinsleep。BeforenightfalltheConvenerwenttolookupIke，andonhisreturnfoundhisgueststillasleep。
\"Lethimsleep，itwilldohimgood，\"hesaidtohiskind—heartedwife，whowouldhavewakenedShocktohavesupper。
\"We’lllethimsleeptillananswercomestohiswire。\"Lateatnighthewentdowntothetelegraphoffice。
\"Yes，\"repliedtheclerkinanswertohisenquiry，\"there’sawireforMr。Macgregorjustcomein。Badnews，too，Iguess。\"
TheConvenertookthemessageandread:\"Yourmotherpassedawayinperfectpeacethisevening。Yourmessagebroughthergreatjoy。Shewishedmetosendthisreply:’TheLordismyShepherd;Ishallnotwant。Stayatyourpost，lad，tillHecalls:’HELEN。\"
\"’StayatyourposttillHecalls，’\"readtheConveneragain。\"A
greatsoulthat。Thatwordwilldohimgood。\"
Hewasright。HefoundShockwaitingforhim，calm，expectant，andreadytobearwhateverlifemightbring，nordidhisfacechangeashereadthewireoverandoveragain。Heonlysaid:\"Godisverygoodtous。Shewentawayinpeace，andshegotmywireandIhers。\"
\"Yes，\"saidtheConvener，\"Godisalwaysgood。Wesometimescannotseeit，but，\"headded，\"itwasagreatmatterthatyoursistercouldhavebeentherewithher。\"
\"Mysister？\"saidShock。\"Oh！\"asuddenflushreddeninghispalecheek。\"She’snotmysister——she’smy——she’sourfriend，yes，adearfriend。Itwouldbeagreatjoytomymothertohaveher。\"
Therewasnosignofgriefinhisface，butagreatpeaceseemedtohavesettleduponhim。Longintothenighthetalkedovertheaffairsofhismissionfield，givinginresponsetothekeenquestionsofhisConvenerafullaccountoftheworkhehadbeencarryingon，openinguptheplanshehadmadeforfuturework。InparticularwasheanxioustoenlisttheConvener’ssympathyinhisschemeforareading—roomandhospitalatthePass。TheConvenershookhisheadattheplan。\"Iagreewithyouentirely，\"hesaid，\"buttheCommittee，Ifear，willnotgiveyouagrantforahospital。Ifitwereachurchnow——\"
\"Well，\"arguedShock，\"itwillserveforachurch。\"
\"Youmaycountonmetodomybestforyou，\"repliedtheConvener，\"butIamnotsanguine。TheCommitteeareextremelycautiousandconservative。\"
ButwhentheConvenercametoaskaboutthedifficultiesandtrialsofhislifehismissionarybecamesilent。Therewerenotrialsanddifficultiestospeakof，nomoreatleastthantherestofthepeoplehadtobear。Theywereallgoodtohim。
\"That’sallright，\"saidtheConvener，\"buttherearedifficulties，nonetheless。Itisahardcountry，andsometimesitlaysburdensuponusalmostgreaterthanwecanbear。TherearethepoorMcIntyres，now，\"hecontinued。\"Howdidyoufindthem？\"
\"Verywell，\"repliedShock。\"But，indeed，Ididn’tnoticemuch。\"
AndthentheConvenertoldhimofthestoryoftheirgreatgrief。