"Boorish，Mr。Macfarren？Letmetellyou，sir，thatheisaHighlandgentleman，thesonofaHighlandgentlewoman，andboorishnessisimpossibletohim。"
　　"Well，thatmaybetoostrong，Doctor，butyoudonotunderstandoursocietyhere。WehavealargenumberofpeopleofgoodfamilyfromtheoldcountryandfromtheEast，andinordertoreachthemwerequireamanwhohasmovedingoodsociety。"
　　"Well，sir，"saidtheSuperintendent，"JesusChristwouldnothavesuitedyoursocietyhere，forHewasamanofveryhumblebirth，andmovedinverylowcircles。"AndwithoutfurtherwordheturnedfromMacfarrentogreetFatherMike，whohadenteredthestore。
　　"Delightedtoseeyouagain，Bishop，"saidFatherMike。"Wearealwaysgladtoseeyoueventhoughyouareoutsidethepale。"
　　"Dependsuponwhichpaleyoumean，FatherMike，"saidtheSuperintendent，shakinghimwarmlybythehand。
　　"True，sir。AndI，forone，refusetonarrowitslimitstothoseofanyexistingorganization。"
　　"Yourprinciplesdoyoucredit，sir，"saidtheSuperintendent，givinghishandanextrashake。"TheyaretrulyScriptural，trulymodern，andtrulyWestern。"
　　"But，Doctor，Iwanttoaskyou，ifImaywithoutimpertinence，whydidyoudosogreataninjurytoourcommunityastoremoveyourmissionaryfromus？"
　　"Ah，youconsiderthataloss，FatherMike？"
　　"Undoubtedly，sir。Agreatandseriousloss。Hewasahightypeofaman。Iwillquoteasexpressingmyopinions，thewordsofagentlemanwhosejudgmentwould，Isuppose，beconsideredinthiscommunityasfinalonallsuchmatters——GeneralBrady，sir。Ithinkyouknowhim。ThisiswhatIheardhimsay。’HeisanablepreacherandaChristiangentleman。’"
　　"Thankyou，sir。Thankyou，sir，"saidtheSuperintendent。"Ithankyouforyourwarmappreciationofonewhom，aftershortacquaintance，Iregardasyoudo。"
　　ItwasFatherMikewhodrovetheSuperintendenttoLoonLakenextday，onlytofindShockawayfromhome。
　　"Wewillinquireatthestopping—place，"saidFatherMike。
　　"Letussee，"saidtheSuperintendent，whoneverforgotanameoraface，"doesCarrollkeepthatstill？Hedidfiveyearsago。"
　　"Yes，andhereheis，"saidFatherMike。"Hello，Carroll。Canyoutellmewhereyourministeris？"
　　"Byjapers，it’sasearchwarrantyou’llneedforhimI’mthinkin’。
　　AskPeraultthere。Perault，doyouknowwherethepreacheris？"
　　"Oui。He’sgo’wayforprospectsure。"
　　"Prospecting？"inquiredFatherMike。
　　"Oui，"grinnedPerault，"dat’sheem，oneprospector。Everyday，everydayhe’spassondetrial，overdehill，downdecoulee，allover。"
　　"Hedoes，eh？"saidFatherMike，delightedatthedescriptionofhisfriend。"Whatisheafter？Coal？"
　　"Coal！"echoedPeraultwithcontempt。"Notmouche。He’sgoforfinddepeep。He’sdig’emupondechurch，bygar。"
　　"Yousee，Doctor，"saidFatherMike，"noonehasanychanceherewithyourfellow。There’sCarroll，now，andPerault，theyareproperlyRomanCatholic，butnowtheyaregoodPresbyterians。"
　　"Bon，forsure。Eh，Carroll，mongarcon？"
　　"Bedad，an’it’sthrueforye，"saidCarroll。
　　ItwasnosmalltributetoShock’sinfluencethattheancientfeudbetweenthesetwohadbeenlaidtorest。
　　"Well，doyouknowwhenhewillbehome？"askedFatherMike。
　　"Igoforfin’out，"saidPerault，runningintohishouse，andreturningalmostimmediately。"Tomorrowforsure。Mebbeto—night。"
　　"Well，Carroll，thisisyourminister’sbishop。IsupposeyoucanlookafterhimtillMr。Macgregorcomeshome。"
　　"An’thatwecan，sir。Comerightin，"saidCarrollreadily。"AnnyfriendoftheProspector，aswecallhim，iswelcometoallinmehouse，an’thatheis。"
　　ThatafternoonandeveningtheSuperintendentspentlisteninginthepausesofhisletterwritingtothepraisesofthemissionary，andtoadescription，withallpossibleelaborationandornament，ofthesavingoflittlePatsey’slife，inwhicheventhedoctor’sskillplayedaverysubordinatepart。
　　"An’there’sPatseyhimself，thecraythur，"saidMrs。Carroll，"an’
　　willhelukathisfatherormeselfwhenhisriverinceisby？An’
　　he’llfolliehimoutan’beyantonthatlittleponyofhis。"
　　TheSuperintendentmadenoremark，buthekeptquietlygatheringinformation。InPerault’shouseitwasthesame。Perault，Josie，andMarionsanginharmonythepraisesofShock。
　　LateatnightShockreturnedbringingthedoctorwithhim，bothwearyandspentwiththelong，hardday’swork。FromPerault，whowaswatchingforhisreturn，heheardofthearrivaloftheSuperintendent。HewasmuchsurprisedandmortifiedthathisSuperintendentshouldhavearrivedinhisabsence，andshouldhavefoundnoonetowelcomehim。
　　"TellJosieandMarion，"hesaidtoPerault，"togetmyroomready，"
　　and，wearyashewas，hewenttogreethischief。
　　Hefoundhim，asmenwereaccustomedtofindhim，busywithhiscorrespondence。TheSuperintendentroseupeagerlytomeethismissionary。
　　"Howdoyoudo，sir，howdoyoudo？Iamverygladtoseeyou，"andhegrippedShock’shandwithadownwardpullthatalmostthrewhimoffhisbalance。
　　"Iwishtoassureyou，"saidtheSuperintendent，whenthegreetingswereover，"Iwishtoassureyou，"andhisvoicetookitsdeepesttone，"ofmysinceresympathywithyouinyourgreatloss。Itwasmyprivilegetobepresentatyourmother’sfuneral，andtosayafewwords。Youhaveagreatandnobleheritageinyourmother’smemory。
　　Shewasbeautifulinherlife，andshewasbeautifulindeath。"
　　PoorShock！Theunexpectedtenderreferencetohismother，thebrotherlytouch，andthevisionthathehadfromtheSuperintendent’swordsofhismother，beautifulindeath，weremorethanhecouldbear。Hisemotionsoverwhelmedhim。HeheldtheSuperintendent’shandtightinhis，strugglingtosubduethesobs，thatheavedupfromhislabouringbreast。
　　"Isuppose，"continuedtheSuperintendent，givinghimtimetorecoverhimself，"mylastletterfailedtoreachyou。Ihadexpectedtobeheretwoweekslater，butIwrotechangingmyarrangementssoastoarrivehereto—day。"
　　"No，sir，"saidShock，"nolettermakinganychangereachedme。Iamverysorryindeed，nottohavemetyou，andIhopeyouwerenotmuchinconvenienced。"
　　"Notatall，sir，notatall。Indeed，IwasverygladtohavetheopportunityofspendingalittletimeattheFort，andmeetingsomeofyourfriends。Bytheway，Imetafriendofyoursonmyjourneydown，whowishedtoberememberedtoyou，BillLeeofSpruceCreek。
　　Yourememberhim？"
　　"Oh，perfectly。Billisafinefellow，"saidShock，enthusiastically。
　　"Yes，Billhashispoints。Hehasquitwhiskeyselling，hesaid，andhewishedthatyoushouldknowthat。Hesaidyouwouldknowthereasonwhy。"
　　ButShockknewofnoreason，andheonlyreplied，"Billwasverykindtome，andIamgladtoknowofthechangeinhim。"
　　"Yes，"continuedtheSuperintendent，"andIspentsometimeattheFortmeetingwithsomeofthepeople，butuponinquiriesIammorepuzzledthanevertofindareasonforthewithdrawalofourservices，andIamstillinthedarkaboutit。"
　　Shock’sfaceflushedadeepred。
　　"Iamafraid，"hesaid，inashamedandhesitatingmanner，"thatI
　　wasnottherightmanfortheplace。IthinkIratherfailedattheFort。"
　　"IsawMacfarren，"continuedtheSuperintendent，ignoringShock’sremark。"Hetriedtoexplain，butseemedtofinditdifficult。"TheSuperintendentomittedtosaythathehadheardfromFatherMikewhatmighthaveexplainedinameasureMacfarren’sopposition。ButShockremainedsilent。
　　"Well，"continuedtheSuperintendent，"nowthatIamhere，whatdoyouwishmetodo？"
　　"First，"saidShock，"comeovertomyhouse。Cometothemanse。
　　Carrollwillnotmind。"
　　TheSuperintendentputhispaperstogether，andShock，shoulderinghisvaliseandcoat，ledthewaytothemanse。
　　AstheyenteredthebigroomtheSuperintendentpausedtoobserveitsproportions，notedthelibraryshelvesfullofbooks，theorganinthecorner，thepicturesadorningthewalls，andwithoutmuchcommentpassedonupstairstoShock’sownroom。ButhedidnotfailtodetectanoteofprideinShock’svoiceashegavehimwelcome。
　　"Comein，comeinandsitdown。Ihopeyouwillbecomfortable。Itisratherrough。"
　　"Rough，sir，"exclaimedtheSuperintendent。"Itispalatial。Itistrulymagnificent。Iwasquiteunpreparedforanythinglikethis。
　　Nowtellmehowwasthisaccomplished？"
　　"Oh，"saidShock，diffidently，"theyallhelped，andhereitis。"
　　"Thatisall，eh？"
　　AndthatwasallShockwouldtell。Therestofthestory，however，theSuperintendentheardfromothers。Andso，throughouthiswholevisittheSuperintendentfounditimpossibletogethismissionarytotellofhisownlabours，andwereitnotthathecarriedanobservantandexperiencedeye，andhadaskilfulandsubtleinquisitorialmethod，hemighthavecomeandgoneknowinglittleofthelong，wearydaysandweeksoftoilthatlaybehindthethingsthatstoodaccomplishedinthatfield。
　　ItwasthesameatthePass。Therestoodthehospitalequipped，almostfreefromdebt，andworkinginharmonywiththecampsandtheminers。There，too，wastheclubroomandthelibrary。
　　"Andhowwasallthisbroughtabout？"inquiredtheSuperintendent。
　　"Oh，TheDonandthedoctortookhold，andthemenallhelped。"
　　TheSuperintendentsaidnothing，buthiseyeswerealightwithakindlysmileastheyrestedonhisbigmissionary，andhetookhisarminaveryclosegripastheywalkedfromshacktoshack。
　　AllthistimeShockwaspouringintohisSuperintendent’seartalesofthemenwholivedinthemountainsbeyondthePass。Hespokeoftheirhardships，theirsufferings，theirtemptations，theirterriblevicesandtheirsteadydegradation。
　　"Andhaveyouvisitedthem？"inquiredtheSuperintendent。
　　Hehadnotbeenabletovisitthemasmuchashewouldhaveliked，buthehadobtainedinformationfrommanyoftheminersandlumbermenastotheirwhereabouts，andastotheconditionsunderwhichtheylivedandwrought。Shockwastalkingtoamanoflikemind。TheSuperintendent’seye，likethatofhismissionary，waseveruponthehorizon，andhisdesiresranfaraheadofhisvision。
　　ItwasfromTheDonthattheSuperintendentlearnedofallShock’sworkinthepast，andofallthathadbeendonetocounteracttheterribleevilsthatweretheruinofthelumbermenandminers。WonbytheSuperintendent’ssympathy，TheDonunburdenedhisheartandtoldhimhisownstoryofhow，inhishourofmiseryanddespair，Shockhadstoodhisfriendandsavedhimfromshameandruin。
　　"Yes，sir，"TheDonconcluded，"morethanIshalleverbeabletorepayhehasdoneforme，and，"headdedhumbly，"ifIhaveanyhopeforthefuture，thattooIowetohim。"
　　"YouhavecausetothankGodforyourfriend，sir，"saidtheSuperintendent，"andhehasnoreasontobeashamedofhisfriend。
　　Youaredoingnoblework，sir，inthisplace，noblework。"
　　Avisittothenearestlumbercampandmines，apublicmeetinginthehospital，andtheSuperintendent’sworkatthePassforthetimewasdone。
　　AshewasleavingthebuildingTheDoncalledhimintohisprivateroom。
　　"Iwishtointroduceyoutoournurse，"hesaid。"Wethinkagreatdealofher，andweowemuchtoher，"andheleftthemtogether。
　　"Iaskedtoseeyou，"saidNellie，"becauseIwantyouradviceandhelp。Theyneedtohavemorenursesherethanone，andnoonewillcomewhileIamhere。"
　　TheSuperintendentgazedather，tryingtomakeherout。Shetriedtoproceedwithhertalebutfailed，and，abandoningallreserve，toldhimwithmanytearsthestoryofhersinandshame。
　　"Andnow，"shesaid，"forthesakeofthehospitalandthedoctorI
　　mustgoaway，andIwanttofindaplacewhereIcanbeginagain。"
　　AstheSuperintendentheardherstoryhiseyesbegantoglistenunderhisshaggybrows。
　　"Mydearchild，"hesaidatlength，"youhavehadahardlife，buttheSaviourhasbeengoodtoyou。Comewithme，andIwillseewhatcanbedone。Whencanyoucome？"
　　"Whenthedoctorsays，"shereplied。
　　"Verywell，"saidtheSuperintendent，"Ishallarrangeitwithhim，"
　　andthatwasthebeginningofanewlifeforpoorNellie。
　　ThelastmeetingoftheSuperintendent’svisitwasatLoonLake，aftertheSundayeveningservice。Thebigroomwascrowdedwithpeoplegatheredfromthecountryfarandnear，fromtheForttothePass，tohearthegreatman。Andhewasworthwhilehearingthatday。Hisimaginationkindledbyhisrecentsightoftheterriblestrugglethatmenweremakingtowardcleanness，andtowardheavenandGod，andthevisionhehadhadthroughtheeyesofhismissionaryoftheregionsbeyond，causedhisspeechtoglowandburn。
　　Foranhourandmoretheylistenedwithheartsattent，whilehespoketothemoftheirWest，itsresources，itspossibilities，andlaiduponthemtheirresponsibilityasthosewhoweredeterminingitsfutureforthemultitudesthatweretofollow。HisappealformenandwomentogivethemselvestotheserviceofGodandoftheircountry，leftthemthrillingwithvisions，hopesandlongings。
　　Inthemeetingthatalwaysfollowedtheeveningservice，thepeoplekeptcrowdingabouthim，refusingtodisperse。ThentheSuperintendentbeganagain。
　　"Yourministerhasbeentellingmemuchaboutthemeninthemountains。Heseemstohavethesemenuponhisheart。"
　　"Sure，"saidIke。"He’saregularprospector，heis。"
　　"SoIhaveheard，soIhaveheard，"saidtheSuperintendent，smiling，"andsoIshouldjudgefromwhatIhaveseen。Now，whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？"
　　Theyallgrewquiet。
　　"Youknowaboutthesemen，nooneelsedoes。Areyougoingtoletthemgotodestructionwithoutanattempttopreventit？"
　　Thesilencedeepened。
　　"Now，listentome。Thiswillcostmoney。Howmuchcanyougivetosendamantolookthemup？Twohundredandfiftydollars？"
　　"Countme，"saidIke。
　　"Me，too，"echoedPerault。"Andme，andme，"onallsides。Intenminutesthethingwasarranged。
　　"Now，thereissomethingelse，"saidtheSuperintendent，andhisvoicegrewdeepandsolemn。"Canyousparemeyourman？"
　　"No，sir！"saidtheKid，promptly。
　　"Notmuch！"echoedPerault，andinthisfeelingallemphaticallyagreed。
　　"Doyouknowwherewecangetsuchaman？"saidtheSuperintendent，"suchaprospector？"
　　Therewasnoanswer。"Idonoteither。Now，whatareyougoingtodo？"
　　ThenSinclairspokeup。
　　"Doyoumean，Doctor，toremoveMr。Macgregorfromus？Thatwouldseemtobeveryharduponthisfield。"
　　"Well，perhapsnot;butcanyousparehimforsixmonths，atleast？"
　　Forsomeminutesnoonemadereply。ThenIkespoke。
　　"Well，IsurmisewegotagooddealfromourProspector。Infact，whatweaintgotfromhimdon’tcountmuch。AndIratheropinethatwecan’tbemeanaboutthis。It’salittlelikepullin’hair，butI
　　reckonwe’dbettergivehimup。"
　　"Thankyou，sir，"saidtheSuperintendent，whohadlearnedmuchfromIkethroughouttheday。"YourwordsarethebestcommentaryIhaveeverhearduponasayingofourLord’s，thathasinspiredmentoallunselfishliving，’Freelyyehavereceived，freelygive。’"
　　XX
　　THENEWPOLICY
　　ItwasstillearlyspringwhenShockreceivedaletterfromBrown，aletterfullofperplexity，andloveandwrath。
　　"Somethinghasgonewrong，"hewrote。"Youhavegottocomedownhereandstraightenitout。IcanplainlyseethatMrs。Fairbanksisatthebottomofit，butjustwhatsheisatIcannotdiscover。
　　HelenIdonotnowseemuch。Thechangesinourlife，yousee，havebeenverygreat。Icannotbeartogotothehousenow。Theassociationsaretoomuchforme。Besides，Lloydseemstohavetakenpossessionofthewholefamily。Theoldladyflattersandfondleshiminamannerthatmakesmygorgerise。Itisquiteevidentshewantshimforherson—in—law，andmorethanevidentthatheentirelyconcurs。"
　　"JustwhatHelenthinksofitIamatalosstoknow，butIcannotbelieveshecanstandLloydanymorethanIcan。Uptillrecentlyshewasveryopenwithmeandveryloyaltoyou，butoflateachangehastakenplace，andwhatinthunderisthematter，Icannotmakeout。Haveyoudoneorsaidanything？Haveyoubeenguiltyofanyhigh—falutin’nonsenseofgivingherup，andthatsortofthing？
　　Ifearsheisavoidingmejustnow，andIfeelcertainshehasbeenmisledinsomeway，soyoumustcomedown。Youreallymust。Ofcourseyouwillsayyoucannotaffordit，butthisistooseriousathingforanyexcuselikethat。WillnotyourconfoundedHighlandprideletmeloanyouenoughtobringyoudown。Anyway，come，ifyouhavetowalk。"
　　ItmustbeconfessedthatBrown’sletterproducedlittleeffectuponShock’smind。Thebitternessofhissurrenderwaspast，so，atleast，hethought。Thehappydreamhehadcherishedforayearwasgoneforever。HewasquitecertainthatitwasnotBrown’sbuttheSuperintendent’sletterthatdeterminedhimtoacceptappointmentasadelegatetotheGeneralAssembly。
　　"Ihavenorighttocommandyouinthis，"theSuperintendentwrote。
　　"IwishIhad。ButIneedyou，andforthesakeofthemenyouandI
　　know，IwishyoutocomedowntotheAssemblyandmeettheCommittee。"
　　ItwasundoubtedlytheSuperintendent’sletter，andyetthatsuddenleapofhisheartashereadhischief’sentreatystartledhim。
　　"Nonsense！"hesaid，shuttinghisjawshardtogether。"Thatisalldonewith。"Andyetheknewthatitwouldbeajoyalmosttoogreattoenduretocatchaglimpseofthefacethatstillcametohimnightbynightinhisdreams，tohearhervoice，andtobenearher。
　　SoShockcamedown，andhiscomingbroughtverydifferentfeelingstodifferenthearts，toBrowntheverynewsofitbroughtmad，wilddelight。HerushedtofindHelen。
　　"Heiscomingdown，"hecried。
　　"Ishe？"repliedHelen，eagerly。"Who？"
　　"Ihaveseenhischief，"continuedBrown，ignoringthequestion。"Hehashadawire。He’llbeheredayafterto—morrow。Oh，letmeyell！
　　Thedearoldbeast！Ifwecouldonlygethimintoajersey，andseehimbleed。"
　　"Don’t，Brownie，"saidHelen，usingherpetnameforherfriend。
　　Theyhadgrowntobemuchtoeachotherduringtheexperiencesofthepastyear。"Itsuggeststoomuch。"
　　"Iforgot，"saidBrown，penitently。"Forgiveme。Itwillbehardforyou。"
　　"Andforhim。PoorShock，"saidHelen。"Don’tlethimgotohishome。"
　　"NotifIcanhelpit，"repliedBrown。
　　"Anddon’t——don’t——talkaboutme——much。"
　　"NotifIcanhelpit，"repliedBrownagain，thistimewithasuspicionofasmile。
　　"Now，Brownie，Iwantyoutohelpme，"saidHelen。"Itishardenough。Thereisnothingbetweenusnow。Hewishesittobeso，andafterall，Idotoo。"
　　"Youdo？Lookmeinthefaceandsayyoudo。"
　　Helenlookedhimsteadilyintheface，andsaid，quietly，"Yes，I
　　do。InallsincerityIbelieveitisfarbetterso。Motherisquitedetermined，andshehasonlyme。Itistheonlythingpossible，soI
　　wantyoutohelpme。"
　　"Andallthat——that——thatthinglastspringwasafarce——amistake，Imean？"
　　"Yes，amistake。Anawfulmistake。Yousee，"explainedHelen，hurriedly，"Iwasdreadfullyexcited，and——well，youknow，Imadeafoolofmyself。Andso，Brownie，youmusthelpme。"
　　"Helpyou——how？Tokeephimoff？Thatwon’tbehard。Tellhimitwasallamistakelastspringandthatyouregretit，andyouwon’tneedtodoanythingelse，ifIknowhim。"
　　"Ihave——atleastmotherhastoldhim。"
　　"Yourmother？"gaspedBrown。"Thenthatsettlesit。Good—by。Ididnotexpectthisofyou。"
　　"Comeback，Brownie。Youknowyouareunkind，andyoumustnotdesertme。"
　　"Well，whatinheaven’snamedoyouwantmetodo？Keephimoff？"
　　"Oh，Idonotknow，"saidHelen，breakingthroughhercalm。"Idon’tknow。WhatcanIdo？"
　　"Do？"saidBrown。"Lethimtellyou。"HehadgreatfaithinShock’spowers。
　　ButthenexttwodaysweredaysofmiserableanxietytoBrown。IfShockwouldonlydoashewastoldandactlikeanordinaryman，Brownhadnodoubtoftheissue。
　　"Oh，ifhe’llonlyplayup，"hegroanedtohimself，inamomentofdesperation。"Ifhe’llonlyplayuphe’lltakeallthatoutofherinaboutthreeminutes。"
　　Theonlyquestionwas，wouldheplay。BrowncouldonlytrustthatinsomewaykindProvidencewouldcometohisaid。Ontheafternoonofthesecondday，thedayofShock’sarrival，hishopewasrealized，andhecouldnotbutfeelthatFortunehadcondescendedtosmilealittleuponhim。
　　Shock’strainwaslate。TheSuperintendenthadsoughtBrownout，andadjuredhimbyallthingssacredtoproducehismanatthecommitteemeetingattheearliestpossiblemoment，andthiscommissionBrownhadconscientiouslyfulfilled。
　　TowardeveninghemetHelendowntown，andwasescortingherhomewardwhentheyfellinwithTommyPhillips，areporterfortheTimes。Hewasevidentlyinastateofconsiderableexcitement。
　　"Ihavejusthadagreatexperience，"heexclaimed。"Iwasdownthisafternoonatyourchurchcommittee，andItellyouIhadacircus。
　　Therewasabigchaptherefromthewildandwoolly，andhemade’emsitup。Why，youknowhim，Iguess。He’sthat’Varsityfootballchapthefellowsusedtoraveabout。"
　　"Oh，yes，Iknow，"saidBrown。"Macgregor。Shock，weusedtocallhim。"
　　"Yes，ofcourse。IrememberIsawhimlastyearattheMcGillmatch。"
　　"Well，whatwasup？"saidBrown，scentingsomethinggood。"Letushaveit。Dothereporteract。"
　　"Well，it’sgoodcopy，letmetellyou，butIdon’twanttoallowmyprofessionalzealtoobliteratemysenseofthedecenciesofpolitesociety。"
　　"Goon，"saidBrown，"Iwanttohear。Youknow，Iplayedquarterbehindhimforthreeyears，andMissFairbanksisinterested，I
　　know。"
　　"Youdid？Well，ifhebuckedupashedidthisafternoon，youmusthavehadgoodhunting。Well，then，whenthatcommitteemetyouneversawamoresolemn—lookingbunchinyourlife。Youwouldthinktheyhadalllosttheirmothers—in—law。Andwhentheybrokeuptheydidn’tknowbuttheywerestandingontheirheads。"
　　"Whatwasthematter？"
　　"Oh，therewasabigdeficiton，andtheyhadtogouptoyourbigcouncil——conference——whatdoyoucallitinyourpaganoutfit？
　　Assembly？Yes，that’sit——andtaketheirmedicine。Twentythousanddollarsofadebt。Well，sir，onthebackofallthatdidn’ttheirGrandMogul——archbishop——youknow，fromtheWest——no，notMacgregor—
　　—theirchiefpusher。Superintendent？Yes——comeinandputanicepackonthemintheshapeofanewschemeforexplorationandextensionintheKootenaycountry，theLordknowswhere，someplaceoutofsight。Well，yououghttohaveheardhim。Heburnedredfire，youbet。PardonmybrokenEnglish，MissFairbanks。"
　　"Goon，"saidHelen，"Ilikeit，"andBrowngavehimselfalittlehug。
　　"Iamgladyoudo，"continuedTommy，"foritisbadenoughtowritecopywithouthavingtospeakit。Well，thewarbegan，someinfavourofthescheme，someagainst，butallhopelessinviewofthepresentstateoffinances。Betterwaitalittle，andthatsortoftalk。