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。