Then，let’sseewhathappened。Oh，yes。Thequestionofthemancameup。Whowastheman？TheSuperintendentwasreadyfor’em。ItwasMacgregorofsomeplace。FrogLake？No，LoonLake。Thentheoppositionthoughttheyhadhimwithahalf—nelson。OldDr。
　　Macfarrenjumpedontothechiefwithbothfeet。Hismanwasnogood，aflatfailureinhisfield，notact。Begyourpardon，MissFairbanks。Whatdidyousay？"
　　"Oh，nevermind，"saidHelen。"Goon。"
　　"Heappealedforcorroborationtohisfriend，thechapupatParkChurch，youknow，thatsleek，kid—glovedfellow。"
　　"Burns？"askedBrown，innocently，delightedinthereporter’sdescriptionofLloydanddesiringmoreofit。
　　"No。Youknowthatoratorchap，liquideyes，mellifluousvoice，andalltherestofit。"
　　"Oh，Lloyd。"
　　"Yes。Well，hetookawhirlandbackedupMacfarren。Evidentlydidn’tthinkmuchoftheSuperintendent’schoice。RemarkedabouthisbeingaHighlander，amanofvisionsandthatsortofthing。"
　　"Whatelsedidhesay？"inquiredBrown，whowasinaparticularlyhappymood。
　　"Oh，alotofstuff，inhismostlordly，patronizingtone。Macgregorwasaverygood，earnestfellow，butheshouldjudgehimtobelackingintactoradaptability，finesensibilities，andthatsortofrot。Butnevermind。Didn’thecatchit！Oh，no。MySallyAnn！
　　Boilinglardandbluevitriol，andallinthechief’smostsweet—
　　scentedlavenderstyle，thoughallthetimeIcouldseethedangerlightsburningthroughhisport—holes。ItellyouI’vehadmydiminishedmoments，butIdon’tthinkIwaseverreducedtosuchashadeastheParkChurchchapwhentheSuperintendentwasthroughwithhim。Servehimright，too"
　　"WhatdidtheSuperintendentsay？"continuedBrown，delightedtofindsomebodywhowouldexpresshisownsentimentswithmoreforceandfulnessthanhecouldcommand。
　　"Say！Well，IwishIcouldtellyou。’Mr。LloydsaysheisaHighlander。Yes，heis，thankGod。SoamI。Heisamanofvisions。
　　Yes，hehasvisionbeyondthelimitsofhisowncongregationandofhisownnativecross—roads，visionforwhatliesbeyondthehorizon，visionforthosemeninthemountainswhoaregoingtothedevil。’A
　　quotation，MissFairbanks，Iassureyou。’Theseminersandlumbermen，forgottenbyallbuttheirmothers，andGod。’Say，itwasgreat。IfIcouldreproduceittherewouldbeaEuropeantripinit。
　　ThenheturnedonDr。Macfarren。ItseemsthatMacgregorsomehowhadtoquitsomeplaceintheWestonthepleathathewasnotadaptable，andthatsortofthing。’Dr。Macfarrensayshewasafailure，’wentontheoldchief，usingatleastfiver’s，’Mr。Lloydsaysheisnotadaptable，heislackinginfinesensibilities。ItistrueGoddidnotmakehimwithsleekhair’——which，byJove，wastrueenough——’anddaintyfingers。Andagoodthingitwas，elseourchurchatLoonLake，builtbyhisownhands，thelogscut，shapedandsetinplace，sir，byhisownhands，wouldneverhaveexisted。
　　HewasafailureattheFort，wearetold。Why？Imadeinquiriesconcerningthat。IwastoldbyagentlemanwhocallshimselfaPresbyterian——Ineednotmentionhisname——thathewasnotsuitabletothepeculiarlyselectandhigh—tonedsocietyofthatplace。No，sir，ourmissionarycouldnotbowandscrape，hewasafailureattennis，hedidnotshineatcardparties，’andhereyoucouldsmellthingssizzling。’Hecouldnotsmileuponlust。No，thankGod！’andtheoldchap’svoicebegantoquiverandshake。’Inallthishewasafailure，andwouldtoGodwehadmoreofthesamekind！’’Amen，’
　　’ThankGod，’’That’strue，’themenaroundthetablecried。I
　　thoughtIhadstruckaMethodistrevivalmeeting。"
　　"Whatelsedidhesay？"saidBrown，whocouldhardlycontainhimselfforsheerdelight。
　　"Well，hewentonthentoyarnaboutMacgregor’swork——howachurchandclubhousehadbeenbuiltinoneplace，andahospitalandallthatsortofthing，inanother，andthenhetoldusstoriesofthedifferentchapswhohadbeenapparentlysnatchedfromthemouthofhellbyMacgregor，andwerereadytoliedownandlethimwalkoverthem。Itwasgreat。TherewasanIrishmanandaFrenchman，I
　　remember，bothRomanCatholics，butbothreadytoswallowtheConfessionofFaithiftheProspectororderedthem。Yes，thatwasanotherpoint。Macgregor，itseems，wasaregularfiendforhuntingupfellowsandrootingthemouttochurch，andsotheydubbedhim’theProspector。’Theoldchiefstuckthatin，Itellyou。Thentherewasadoctorand，oh，alotofchaps，——acowboyfellownamedIke，whowasparticularlygoodcopyifonecouldreproducehim。Andthen——"hereTommyhesitated——"well，it’sworthwhiletelling。Therewasagirlwhohadgonewrong，andhadbeenbroughtback。Tohearthechieftellthatyarnwasprettyfine。Idon’tturnthewaterworksonwithoutconsiderablepressure，butItellyoumytankscameprettynearoverflowingwhenhetalkedaboutthatpoorgirl。
　　Andthen，atthemostdramaticmoment——thatoldchapknowshisbusiness——hebroughtonMacgregor，announcinghimas’theProspectorofFrogLake，no，LoonLake。’Well，hewasnotmuchtolookat。Hishairwasnotslick，andhisbeardlookedalittlelikeapaintbrush，hispantsranuponhisboots，andbaggedattheknees。"
　　"Hehadjustcomeoffthetrain，"hastilyinterposedBrown，"Hehadn’tamomenttodresshimself。"
　　"Well，asIsay，hewasn’tprettytolookat，andtheygavehimakindoffrostyreception，too。"
　　"Well，whathappened？"inquiredBrown，anxioustogetoverthispartofthedescription。
　　"Well，theybeganfiringquestionsathimhotandfast。Hewasalittlerattledforawhile，butafterabithegotintohisstride，putdownhismap，laidouthiscountryandbeganpouringinhisfacts，tillwhentheylethimouttheylookedforalltheworldlikealotofmenwhohadbeenstruckbyawhirlwindandweretryingtogetbacktheirbreathandotherbelongings。"
　　"Well，whatdidtheydothen？"
　　"Oh，thethingpassed，Iguess。Ileft’emandwentafterthemanfromtheWest。IthoughtIhadstruckoil。Ihadvisionstoo。"
　　"Well，didyougethim？"
　　"Idid，buttherewasnotanyoil。Itwasrock，hard，coldScotchgranite。I’msomethingofaborer，butItellyouwhat，heturnedmyedge。Itwasnouse。Hewouldn’ttalk。"
　　"Goodby。Comearoundandseeyourmanatmyrooms，"saidBrownheartily。"I’llpumphimforyou，andyoucancatchtheoil。"
　　"Youwill，eh？Allright，setamugforme。"
　　"Greatboy，thatTommy，"saidBrown，whowassmittenwithasuddenenthusiasticadmirationforthereporter。"Cleverchap。He’llmakehismarkyet。"
　　Helenwalkedforsomedistanceinsilence。"Is——ishe——isMr。
　　Macgregorwithyou？"sheinquiredatlength。
　　"Yes，Mr。Macgregoriswithme，"mimickedBrown。"Willyousendhimacard？"
　　"Now，Brownie，stop，"saidHelenindistress。"Hehasnotbeenhomeyet，hashe？"
　　"No。Why？"
　　"Couldyoukeephimawaytillabouteleventomorrow？"
　　"Yes，IsupposeImight。Hehasgottogetsomeclothesandgetsomeofthewooloffhim。Butwhydoyouask？"
　　"Well，IthoughtIwouldjustruninanddust，andputsomeflowersup，and，youknow，makeitalittlemorehomelike。"
　　"Helen，you’reabrick。IhaddecidedtodropyoubecauseIdidn’tloveyou，butIamchangingmymind。"
　　"Well，donotlethimgobeforeeleven。Everythingwillberightbythattime。"
　　"Good！"saidBrown，withanebullitionofrapture，whichheimmediatelysuppressedasHelen’seyeswereturnedinquiringlyuponhim。"Yousee，"heexplainedhurriedly，"hehasbeenintheWestandwillneedtogetalotofthings，andthatwillgiveyouplentyoftime。There’smycar。Good—by。Wehavehadahappyafternoon，eh？"
　　"Oh，yes，veryhappy，thankyou，"saidHelen，butshecouldnotquitesuppressalittlesigh。
　　"Well，good—by，"saidBrown，andhewentoff，jubilanttohiscar。
　　Hesatdowninacorner，andthoughthardtillhecametohisstreet。"Ifhe’llonlyplayupwe’llwin，surething。Butwillhe，confoundhim，willhe？Well，thekick—offwillbeto—morrow。"
　　HefoundShockwaitinginhisrooms，withafacesograveandsosadthatBrown’sheartgrewsoreforhim。
　　"Comeon，oldchap，we’llgotogrub。ButfirstIamgoingtogroomyouabit。We’lltakeafootortwooffyourhairsincethefootballseasonisover;andIthink，"examininghimcritically，"wecansparethatbeard，unlessyouareveryfondofit。"
　　Shockprotestedthathehadnoparticularloveforhisbeard;itwasbetterforthecoldweather，anditwasnotalwaysconvenientforhimtoshave。
　　WhenthebarberhadfinishedwithShock，Brownregardedhimwithadmiration。
　　"Youareallright，oldchap。Isay，you’vegotthin，haven’tyou？"
　　"No，Iamprettymuchinmyplayingform。"
　　"Well，thereissomethingdifferent。"Andtherewas。Theboyishlinesofhisfacehadgivenplacetothosethatcometomenwiththecaresandgriefsandresponsibilitiesoflife。AndasBrownlookedoverShock’shard，leanface，hesaidagain，withemphasis，"You’lldo。"
　　AfterdinnerShockwanderedabouttheroomsuneasilyforatime，andfinallysaid，"Isay，Brown，Iwouldliketogouphome，ifyoudon’tmind。"Theyhadnotyetspokenofwhateachknewwasuppermostintheother’smind。
　　"Allright，Shock。Butwouldn’titbebetterinthemorning？"
　　"Iwanttogoto—night，"saidShock。
　　"Well，ifyouareboundto，wewillgoupinanhourortwo。There’salotofthingsIwanttotalkabout，andsomethingstoarrange，"
　　repliedBrownhopingthatinthemeantimesomethingmightturnuptopostponethevisittillthemorning。
　　ForasecondtimethatdayFortunesmileduponBrown，forhardlyhadtheysettleddownforatalkwhentheSuperintendentappeared。
　　"Iamgladtofindyouin，"hesaid，givingShock’shandavigorousshake。"Icametoofferyoumycongratulationsuponyourappearancethisafternoon，andalsototellyouthattheCommitteehaveappointedyoutoaddresstheAssemblyonHomeMissionnight。"
　　"Hooray！"criedBrown。"YourCommittee，Doctor，iscomposedofmenwhoevidentlyknowagoodthingwhentheyseeit。"
　　"Sometimes，Mr。Brown，sometimes，"saidtheSuperintendent，shrewdly。
　　ButShockrefusedutterlyandabsolutely。
　　"Iamnospeaker，"hesaid。"Iamafailureasaspeaker。"
　　"Well，Mr。Macgregor，Iwillnottakeyourrefusalto—night。ItistheCommittee’srequest，andyououghttohesitatebeforerefusingit。"
　　"Amancandonomorethanhisbest，"saidShock，"andIknowI
　　cannotspeak。"
　　"Well，thinkitover，"saidtheSuperintendent，preparingtogo。
　　"Oh，sitdown，sitdown，"criedBrown。"YoumustwanttohaveatalkwithShockhere，andIwanttohearallaboutthisafternoon。"
　　"Well，"saidtheSuperintendent，seatinghimself，"itisnotoftenI
　　haveachancetotalkwithaProspector，soIwillacceptyourinvitation。"AndbythetimethetalkwasdoneitwastoolateforShocktothinkofvisitinghishome，andBrownwentasleepwiththehappyexpectationofwhathecalledthe"kick—off"nextday。
　　XXI
　　THEWAITINGGAME
　　Brownwasearlyastir。HeknewthathecouldnotkeepShocksofullyemployedastopreventhisgoinghomelongbeforeteno’clock，anditwaspartofhisplanthatShock’sfirstmeetingwithHelenshouldtakeplaceinhisownmother’shouse。
　　"Thefirstthingwemustdo，"heannounced，"istoseeatailor。IfyouaregoingtoaddresstheGeneralAssemblyyouhavegottogetpropertogs。Andanyway，youmayaswellgetasuitbeforeyougoWestagain。Iknowasplendidtailor——cheap，too。"
　　"Well，hewillneedtobecheap，"saidShock，"forIcannotafordmuchforclothes。"
　　"Well，Iwillseeaboutthat，"saidBrown。Sohedid，foraftersomeprivateconversationwiththetailor，thepricesquotedtoShockwerequitewithinevenhissmallmeans。
　　Itwashalf—pastninebeforetheyreachedShock’shome。Browntookthekeyoutofhispocket，openedthedoor，andallowedShocktoenter，waitingoutsideforafewmoments。
　　WhenhefollowedShockinhefoundhimstillstandinginthecentreofthelittleroom，lookingaboutuponthefamiliarsurroundings，thearticlesoffurniture，thepicturesonthewall，hismother’schairbesidethetable，withherBibleandglassesathand。
　　AsBrowncameinShockturnedtohimandsaid，"Isthissomemoreofyourkindness，Brown？Haveyoutakenthiscareofeverything？"
　　"No，"saidBrown，"thatisnotmywork。Every，weeksincethehousewasclosedHelenhascomeoverandkeptthingsright。"
　　WithoutanyreplyShockpassedintohismother’sroom，leavingBrownalone。
　　Whenhalfanhourhadpassed，Brown，glancingoutofthewindow，sawHelenapproaching。
　　"Thankgoodness！"heexclaimed，"heresheisatlast。"
　　Heopenedthedoorforher。
　　"Oh，goodmorning，"sheexclaimedinsurprise。"Iamsurethisisverykindofyou。"
　　"Yes，IthoughtIwouldhelp，"saidBrowninaloudvoice。"Yousee，Shockwasanxioustocome，andIthoughtIwouldcomeupwithhim。
　　Heisinthenextroom。Hewillbeoutinaminute。Wewerecominguplastnight，butcouldnotgetaway。TheSuperintendentdroppedin，andwetalkedtillitwastoolate。"Brownkeptthestreamofhisremarksflowingasifhefearedapause。
　　Helenlaidthebunchofflowersshewascarryinginherhanduponthetable。
　　"Oh，Brown，"sheexclaimed，"howcouldyou！Thisisveryunkind。"
　　Sheturnedtogo。
　　"Holdon，"saidBrowninaloudvoice。"Shockwillbehereinaminute。He’llbesorrytomissyou，Iamsure。"
　　ForamomentHelenstoodirresolute，whenthedooropenedandShock，pale，butquietandself—controlled，appeared。Hehadjustbeenfacetofaceforthefirsttimewithhisgreatgrief。Thethoughtthatfilledhismind，overwhelmingallothers，wasthathismotherhadpassedforeverbeyondthetouchofhishandandthesoundofhisvoice。Nevertillthatmomenthadhetakeninthefullmeaningofthechangethathadcometohislife。
　　Duringtheminuteshehadspentinhismother’sroomhehadallowedhismindtogobackoverthelongyearssofulloffondmemory，andthenhehadfacedthefuture。Alonehenceforthhemustgodownthelongtrail。Byhismother’sbedhehadknelt，andhadconsecratedhimselfagaintothelifeshehadtaughthimtoregardasworthy，andwiththeresolveinhishearttoseektobethemanshewoulddesirehimtobeandhadexpectedhimtobe，herosefromhisknees。
　　Whenheopenedthedoorthedignityofhisgreatgriefandofaloftypurposewasuponhim，andhegreetedHelenunembarrassedandwithasereneconsciousnessofself—mastery。
　　"Iamgladtoseeyou，MissFairbanks，"hesaid，takingherhand。"I
　　amgladthatwemeethere，foritwashere，inthishouse，thatyougavesuchlovingandtendercaretomydearmother。HoweverlongI
　　maylive，whatevermaycometome，Ishallneverforgetwhatyoudidforherthroughalltheyear，andatthelast。"
　　HisquietdignityrestoredtoHelenherself—possession。
　　"IdidallIcouldforher。Iwasgladtodoit，becauseIlovedher。ButshedidmoreformethaneverIcouldhavedoneforher。
　　Herlastillnesswasverybrief，andherdeathwasfullofpeace。"
　　"Tellme，"saidShock，placingachairforher。"Iwanttoknowall。"
　　Withgentle，sweetsympathythestorywastoldinallitsbeautifuldetails，tilltheveryend。InstinctivelyHelenseemedtoknowthepointsthatShockwoulddesiretohear，andhelistenedtoherwithhisheartshiningthroughhiseyes。
　　"Thankyou，thankyou，"hesaid。"Nevercanthankyouenoughforallthatyouhavedone。Andyou，too，havehadyourgreatsorrow。Browntoldmeaboutitall。"
　　AtthisBrownrosehastily，andlookingoutofthewindow，exclaimed，"Isay，there’sBoyle。Waitforme。"
　　"Yes，"saidHelen，whenBrownhadgone，"itwasaterriblegrief，andmotherhasneverrecoveredfromit，norwillshe。Bettywasthelifeofourhouse。Shewassobright。"
　　"Oh，bright，indeed。HowwellIrememberherbrightnessthatnightinyourhome。"
　　"Iremember，"saidHelen。"AndMr。Balfour，"shecontinued，"TheDon。Hehasbeenwithyou？"
　　"Yes，indeed，poorchap。Andnoblyhehasdone，"andShocktoldofTheDonandofhisworkinthePass。
　　"Howgoodyouhavebeen，"exclaimedHelen，"andhowmuchyouhavedone。Iamsothankful，andsoproud。Weareallsoproudofyou。"
　　"No，"saidShockgravely，"thatisnottheword，MissFairbanks。
　　Thereisnoroomforpride。"
　　"Well，wethinkso，"repliedHelen。"Youwillcometoseeus？Motherwillbesoglad。"
　　Helenwaswonderingatherowncalmness。ShecouldhardlymakeherselfbelievethatshewastalkingtoShock，andsoquietly，inthisroomwheresoshortatimeagohehadheldherinhisarms。
　　"Idonotknow，"repliedShock。"Itmaybeaswellnotto——nottoseemuch——toseeyou。"
　　Shockbecameunexpectedlyconsciousoftheirpreviousrelations。Thememoryofthatsceneinwhichtheyhadbeenthechiefactorscamevividly，beforehim。Forweekshehaddreadedthisinterview，andnowitwasalmostover。Hefeltlikeamanwho，inthehourofvictory，isunexpectedlythreatenedwithdefeat。Well，soonerorlaterhemustspeakhismindplainly;therewouldneverbeabetterchancethannow，andthoughhewishedhecouldgetbackthatperfectself—masteryofthepastfewminutes，heresolvedtogothroughwithitnow。Hetookholdofhimselfwithasterngrip。
　　Helensawitinhisface。Agreatfearseizedher;Shestartedup。
　　"Oh，Imustrun！"sheexclaimed。"Youwillbesuretocomeandseeus，Mr。Macgregor。Indeed，youmustcome。"
　　Hermannerwaslight，almostfrivolous。Shockfeltthechangeinstinctively，readherfear，anddecidedthatthemomentforspeechhadpassed。
　　"Good—by，"hesaid，lookingsteadilyintohereyes。"Good—by。Godblessyouforyourkindnessto——tousboth。"
　　Thelittlecatchinhisvoicereachedthegirl’sheart，andthetearssprangtohereyes。
　　"Good—by，"shesaidhurriedly。"Good—by，"andwasgone。
　　AlittlewaydownthestreetshemetBrown。
　　"Well？"
　　"Well，itisallover。Iamthankful，too。Yes，sothankful。"
　　"Well，I’llbe——"Brownlefthissentenceunfinishedandturnedawayfromherimpatiently。
　　HefoundShockstillsittingatthetable，unspeakablemiseryshowinginhiseyes。
　　"Well，oldchap，"Brownsaidkindly，puttinghishanduponhisfriend’sshoulder。
　　"Thatisover，thankGod！"saidShock。"Iwasafraidofit，butitisovernow。"
　　"Itis，eh？"saidBrowncrossly。"Well，let’sgo。You’retwoofakind。Comeon。You’llhavetogetatyourspeechnow。"
　　"Myspeech？"saidShock，risingwearily。"Nospeechforme。"
　　"Itellyouwhat，Shock，"saidBrown，withatouchofimpatience，"youthinktoomuchofyourself。"
　　"DoI，Brown？Well，perhapsso，"saidShock，humbly。
　　"Oh，confoundyouroldcarcass！"criedBrown，throwinghisarmroundShock’sneck。"You’llbemydeathyet。Atthesametime，yououghttospeak，andIbelieveyouwill。IfIknowyourconscienceitwon’tletyourest。"
　　ItturnedoutthatBrownwasright，forwhentheSuperintendentwroteanotetoShockaskinghimformallyonbehalfoftheCommitteetoaddresstheAssemblyonHomeMissionnight，thelastsentenceinhisletterdeterminedShocktoaccept。
　　"Iknowwhatthiswillcostyou，"theSuperintendentwrote，"butthecauseisnotyoursnormine。ItisHis。AndforHissakeIbelieveyouwilldothis。"
　　"Iknewyouwould，oldchap，"saidBrownexultantly。"Ifafellowcouldgetthecombinationofyourconsciencehecoulddowhathelikedwithyou。"
　　"Well，IsupposeiftheywishmetomakeanexhibitionofmyselfI
　　shouldnotrefuse，andafterall，whatmatterhowIspeak？Iwillfail，Iknow，butIwilldomybest。"
　　"Neverafail，"criedBrown。"Don’tpreachatthem。Tellthemyarns。
　　That’swhatyourchiefdoes。Nowyouhearme。"
　　Thisprovedtobegoodadvice，forwhenthechairmanintroducedShockastheProspectorfromLoonLake，Shocksimplybegan，asBrownsaid，to"yarn。"
　　"ThatiswhatPeraultandIkecalledme，"werehisfirstwords，andfromthatmomenttillthecloseofhisspeechhehadhisaudienceleaningforwardandlisteningwithearsandeyesandheart。Hemadenoattemptatfinespeaking，butsimplytoldthemofhisfriendsintheWest，ofthemenhehadcometoloveasbrothers，andwhohadcometolovehim。
　　AstheycamedownthestepsoftheParkChurch，wherethemeetingwasheld，BrowncouldhardlykeeppacewithHelenasshedancedalongbesidehim。
　　"Oh，wasn’thesplendid！"shecried，"wasn’thesplendid！"
　　"Splendid？"saidBrown。"There’snotawordbigenoughleft。"
　　"Oh，Iamsohappy，"sangHelen。
　　"Why，what’sthematterwithyou？"criedBrown。
　　"Oh，nothing，nothing，"andshebubbledoverwithhappylaughteruntilBrowngrewgloomyandcross。ButHelendeignedhimnofurtherexplanationofheroverflowingjoy，andlefthim，stillsullenandsomewhatindignant，atherdoor。
　　Herradiantfacecaughthermother’seyeassheenteredtheroom。
　　"Well，mychild，youarelookingveryhappy。Ihavenotseenyoulooksobrightformonths。Youareverybeautiful，mydaughter，"
　　saidhermother，puttingherarmaroundherdaughterasHelenstoopedtokissher。
　　"Oh，mother，"criedHelen，"Iamveryhappy。"
　　"Well，darling，itmakesmehappytohearyousayso。Has——hasMr。
　　Lloydspokentoyou？"
　　"Mr。Lloyd？"Helenlaughedgleefully。"No，mother，heknowsbetterthanthat。Oh，mother，Shocklovesme。"
　　"What！Hashedaredtospeak—afterpromising——"
　　"No，mother，hehasnotspoken，notwithhislips。ButIknowit，I
　　knowit，andoh，Iamsoglad。"
　　"Whatofhisplaindeclarationtomethathehadgivenyouup？"
　　"Oh，Idon’tcare，mother。Hehasnotchanged，"criedthehappygirl。"Helovesmejustthesameasever。"
　　"AndwhatofthegirlMr。Ambhergtoldusof？"
　　"No，mother，thereisnoothergirl，"criedHelen。"Idon’tcarewhotoldyou。"
　　"Helen，Iamashamedofyou，"exclaimedhermother，angrily。"Dearmother，"saidHelen，fallingonherkneesandputtingherarmsabouthermother，"Icannothelplovinghim，andIcannothelpbeinghappy。Oh，mother，heissplendid。Yououghttohaveheardhimto—
　　night，andyououghttohaveseenthepeople。Why，theministersalmosthuggedhim。Andoh，mother，mother，ashecamedownandpassedmyseat，heturnedandlookedatme。Hedidnotexpecttoseeme，andhewasoffhisguard，andthenIknew，oh，Iknew。Heisjustthesame。Oh，mother，behappywithme。"
　　Hermotherburstintotears。
　　"Oh，"shesobbed，"IthoughtIwastohaveonechildleft。Iamindeedbereaved。"
　　"Hush，mother，"criedHelen。"Iwillnotleaveyou。"
　　"Butyoulovehim？"
　　"Yes，yes。Withallmyheart。"
　　"Hewillnotgiveuphisworkinthatawfulcountry？"
　　"No，"saidthegirlproudly，"hewillnot，notevenforme。ButhewilllovemealwaysandIwilllovehim，andthatisenoughjustnow。"
　　"Helen，listentome。Youwillnevermarryhimwithmyconsent，"
　　saidMrs。Fairbanks，determinedly。
　　"Andhewouldnevermarrymewithout，"repliedHelen。
　　"What，then，isyourfuturetobe？"
　　"Oh，Iwillstaywithyou，motherdarling。"
　　"Andhe？"inquiredMrs。Fairbanks。
　　"He？Oh，Idon’tknow，buthewillalwaysloveme，mother。"
　　IndesperationMrs。FairbankssentnextdayforShock。Heronehope，layinhisfinesenseofhonour，andinhisgenerosity。
　　"Mr。Macgregor，"shesaid，whenShockstoodbeforeher，"Iwanttoappealtoyourgenerosity。Youwillnotstandinthewayofmydaughter’shappiness？"
　　"Mrs。Fairbanks，IthoughtIhadmademyselfclear。WhatmorecanI
　　sayordo？"
　　"Shefanciesyoustillloveher。Couldnotyoudisabuseherofherfoolishfancy？"
　　"TellherIdonotloveher？"askedShock。"ThatIcannotdo。Itwouldbefalse。"
　　"Oh，Mr。Macgregor，"criedMrs。Fairbanks，weeping，"ifyouforcemychildfrommeIwilldie。"
　　Shockwasgreatlydisturbedathertears。
　　"Mrs。Fairbanks，Icouldneverforceyourdaughterawayfromyou，butIshallalwaysloveher。CanIsaymore？"
　　"Ihavetoldher，"saidMrs。Fairbanksbetweenhersobs，"Iwillneverconsenttohermarriagewithyou。"
　　Shock’sheartgavealeap。
　　"Andwhatdidshesay？"heinquiredinanunsteadyvoice。
　　"Shesaidyouwouldnotmarryherwithoutmyconsent。"
　　"Andthatistrue，"saidShock。
　　"Andwhat，then，willyoudo？"inquiredMrs。Fairbanks。
　　Shockthrewuphishead，withjoyillumininghisface。
　　"I——we——"changingthepronounwithasuddenecstasyofrapture，"wecanwait。"
　　"Andhowlong，pray？"inquiredMrs。Fairbanks，scornfully。
　　"Howlong？"Hepausedasifponderingthequestion。"Forever！"
　　"Shock！"
　　Heturnedquickly。Thereatthedoor，inallhergloriousbeauty，hereyesluminouswiththelightoflove，stoodHelen。
　　"Helen！"hecriedaloud，inhissurprise。"Youheard！Canyou？Canwe？"
　　Withamovementofineffablegraceshewasathisside。Heputhisstrongarmsabouther。Shelookedintohiseyes。
　　"Yes，Shock，wecanwait——now。"