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。