"Man！man！"shecontinued，"thosewerethedays！andthosewerethemen！Ihaveheardsuchpreachingaswouldcauseyourhearttoquakewithinyou，andmakeyoutolistenwiththefearofdeathuponyoulestitshouldstop。"
　　"Itmusthavebeenterriblepreaching，indeed，"saidBrownsoftly。
　　"Terrible！ay，terrible’stheword。Lad，lad，"saidtheoldlady，turninguponBrownherpiercingblue—greyeyes，"intheoldMullinChurchIhaveseentheveryraftersthrobbing，andstrongmenandwomenswayinglikethetree—topsintheglenwhileBurnswasragingforthuponthemliketheTummelinspate，whilevisionsoftheeternalthings——thethroneofGodandtheJudgmentDay——filledoureyes。"Shepausedafewmomentsandthensinkingbackintoherchairshewenton，"Ay，terriblepreaching，yon，likethestorm—blastsweepingthehillsidesandrendingthefirsinthePass。Yes！yes！
　　Butgentleattimesandwinning，liketherainfallingsoftatnight，wooingatthebluebellsandthedaisiesintheglen，orlikeamothercrooninoverthebabeatherbreast，tillmenweptforloveandlongingafterHimself。Ay，lad，lad，yonwasthepreaching。"
　　Therewasalongsilencewhiletheywaitedforhertocontinue。
　　"Whatwasthatsermon，mother，atMullinthattimeuponthewords’Willyealsogoaway？’youremember？"atlengthaskedShockcunningly。
　　Hismothersighed。"Ay，andthatwasasairmontodrawtheheartouto’you。Thatwasthemeltingday，whilethebigmengrippedtheirstickshardandthewomenwipedattheireyesthatwouldneverbedonerunning，andthatman’svoicesoughingoverthemlikethewindinthepinesintheevening，Yes！yes！But，"suddenlyrecallingherself，"come，lads，youmustbeofftoyourbooks。"
　　Theyoungmensatafewmomentssilentlygazingintothefire，andthenBrownroseandsaid，"Good—night，mother。You’rethegreatestpreacherIknow，andIwouldnotmindawholehourfromyou。"Hisvoicewasearnestandhiseyessoftandtenderashestoopedandkissedhercheek。
　　"Good—night，laddie，"answeredMrs。Macgregor，pattinghishandgently。"Idoubt，afterall，thefaultnowadaysisnotwiththepreachingsomuchaswiththehearing。"
　　"Well，I’moff。Youwillseemeto—morrowwithmyflockofstrayingsheep。ButIwarnyouthatafteryouhearthatmanfromtheWestyouwillallbevolunteeringasmissionaries。"
　　TheoldladytookupherknittingagainandafterthedoorhadcloseduponBrownsatbackinherchairwithawearysigh。
　　"You’retiredto—night，mother，"saidShockgently。
　　"Tired？AndwhatforwouldIbetired？No，no，butthedayislong。"
　　"Yes，somedays，mother。Butthelongestpass。"
　　Sheglancedquicklyatherson，butsaveforaquiveringofthelipsusuallysofirm，therewasnosignofthepainwhichbothknewlayattheheartofeach。Hermoodofimpatiencehadpassed。Shewasoncemoreherself，calmandstrong，lookingwithsteadfasteyesintothefuture，knowingwellthatwhateverthedaysmightbring，Hewhoforfiftyyearshadbeenherrefugeandherstrengthwouldnotfailher。
　　TheappealfortheWestwasthethemeofconversationattheFairbankshome，wheretheusualcompanyhadassembled。TheDonwasdescribingtheSuperintendent’saddressattheCollegeandthrillinghislistenerswithhisownenthusiasm，whenBrownentered。
　　"Hello！Atitagain？"criedBrown。"Ifhedoesn’tavoidthatfierycrossfellow，TheDonwillbeofffortheWestfirstthingyouknow。"
　　"Tellus，"criedBetty，"washeasgreatasallthat？Mr。BalfourherewouldhaveusbelievethatthisWesternmanisreallysomethingwonderful。"
　　"Well，Idon’tknow，"saidBrown。"Youneverthinkofwhetherheiswonderfulornot，butonethingIknow，hemakesyouseethings——themountainsandthatfoot—hillcountry，theminingcampsandallthatsaloonandgambling—hellbusiness，tillyoucansmellthebrimstoneandyouwanttobeinit。"
　　"What？Intothebrimstone？"laughedLloyd。
　　"Iamratherincoherent，Iconfess。Butthatoldchapsuitsme。IfI
　　wereaTheologue，andunattached，I’dbethere。"
　　"There’snodoubtitisagreatcountry，withvastopportunities，"
　　saidTheDon，glancingatBetty。
　　"Yes，"saidMrs。Fairbanks，frowningasshenotedtheglance，"anddoubtlessanyyoungmanwhohasthenecessaryenterpriseandcouragewillmakehisfortunewiththegrowthofthatcountry。"
　　"Butwhyunattached？Whatdoyoumeanbythat？"enquiredBetty。
　　"Unattached？Why，youknow，justlikeme——amanwithnofamilytiestospeakof。Didyoutellthemthatyarn，Lloyd？Well，I’lltellyou。YouknowtheSuperintendentwastellingthefellowsofthedifficultyhehadinsecuringmen。Well，hemanagedtogetamanfromanEasternCollegewhomheappointedtotheCariboo——rightsortofchap，too，apparently——acceptedtheappointment——everythingwasarranged——happened，however，hewasengagedtoayoungladybroughtupinthelapofluxury，andthatsortofthing。Whensheheardofheryoungmanbeingappointedtothisoutlandishplace，shepromptlycollapsedintoafaint，sisterwentintohysterics，motherintoablindrage，result——youngmanresigned。’Soyousee，gentlemen，’
　　saidtheoldchapdryly，’whenyouhavetoconsiderthetastesandtemperament，notonlyoftheyoungman，butofhisyoungladyandofallhernearfamilyrelatives，thedifficultyofsecuringmenfortheWestissensiblyincreased。"
　　"Ithinkthatisjusthorridofhim，"exclaimedBettyindignantly。
　　"Theyoungladyoughttobeconsulted。Don’tyouthinkso？"turningtoLloyd。
　　"Whycertainly，andyet——"
　　"Mostassuredly，"saidMrs。Fairbanks。"Wouldyouaskayoungladytogooutandburyherselfaliveinsuchacountryasthat，oraskhertowaitanindefinitenumberofyearstilltheyoungmanshouldreturn？Whyitissimplymonstrous。"AndMrs。FairbanksfixedherglassesfirmlyonhernoseandgazedatBrownasifshewouldannihilatehim。
　　"WhycertainlyIwould，"repliedBrown，quiteunabashed;"andifshelovedme，"placinghishandoverhisheart，"shewouldbegladtodoeither。Iwouldsimplyremark，’Mylove，I’moffforGreenland。’
　　’Wait，mydear，’shewouldpromptlyreply，’tillIgetmyfurs。’"
　　"Allthesame，"saidLloydseriously，"itwouldbeaterriblelifeforanywoman，andamanshouldhesitatebeforeaskinghertoshareit。"
　　"Nosociety，nothingcongenialinenvironment！Quiteimpossible！"
　　exclaimedMrs。Fairbankswithgreatemphasis。"Andquiteabsurdtodreamofit。"
　　"Then，"repliedBrownwarmlytoLloyd，"theonlyavailablemenforyourChief，apparently，arehopelessoldbachelorsoryoungmen，howeverworthylikemyself，whoarestillunappropriated。"
　　"Exactly，"saidMrs。Fairbankswithanairoffinality。
　　"But，Mrs。Fairbanks，"exclaimedTheDon，"whatofoursoldiersandofficerswhogotoIndiaandotheroutlandishplaces？Theytaketheirwivesalongwiththem，Iunderstand？"
　　"That’squiteadifferentthing，Mr。Balfour，"saidMrs。Fairbanks。
　　"ThesemengoouttoservetheirQueenandcountry，anditisrecognisedastheproperthing，and——well，yousee，itisquitedifferent。"
　　"Imustsay，"exclaimedHelen，fasteningtoforestallthehotanswersheknewtobeatTheDon’slips，"IagreewithMr。Brown。Ifaman’sworkcallshimtoGreenland，hiswifeoughttogowithhimorsheoughttobewillingtowaithisreturn。"
　　"Helen，youspeaklikeasentimentalschool—girl，"repliedMrs。
　　Fairbankswithatouchofhaughtyscorn。"Ofcourseifamanismarriedanddutycallshimtoaforeignland，hemustgo。Butwhyshouldagirlthrowawayherprospectsandcondemnherselftoalifeofobscurityandisolationbyattachingherselftoamanwhochoosestotakeupsomefantasticmissioninsomeoutlandishplaceorother？"
　　"Why？Becauseshelovesamanwhosedutycallshimthere，"exclaimedHelen，hergreyeyesglowing。
　　"Bravo！"repliedBrown。"IfIseeaWesternmissionarywantingahelpmeet——that’stheproperword，Ibelieve——Ishallknowwheretosendhim。"
　　"Nonsense，"criedMrs。Fairbanksquitecrossly，"butsurelyweneednotdiscussthequestionanyfurther。"
　　"Well，ifImayofferanopinion，"saidTheDoninadeliberate，strainedvoice，"thatcountryistheplaceformenwithenterprisewhobelieveinthemselves，andIthinknomanisthrowinghisprospectsawaywhoidentifieshimselfwithit——norwomaneither，forthatmatter。Andwhatistrueofotherprofessionsoughttobetrueoftheministry。"
　　"Iagree，"criedBrown，addingwickedly，"justthespotforyou，Lloyd。"
　　"Why，Ishouldlikenothingbetter，"saidLloyd，"ifcircumstancesindicatedthatmyworklaythere。"
　　"Well，well，what’scometoyouall？"criedMrs。Fairbanks，holdingupherjewelledhandsindespair。
　　"TheOccidentalmicrobe，"suggestedBrown。
　　"Andthemonumentalnonsenseitis，"saidMrs。Fairbanks，"formenofhighcultureandspecialtrainingtolosethemselvesinsuchacountryasthat。"
　　"But，"persistedBrown，"theysaythatthat’stheveryplaceforsuchmen。Why，thatcountryisfullofhigh—classchaps——Universitygrads，Lords，Dukes，andsuch，aswellastheprofessionalgambler，andotherhighlytechnicalexperts。TheSuperintendentdeclaredto—
　　nighthewouldn’thaveanybuthigh—classmenhence，Lloyd！"andBrownwavedhishandtowardthatgentleman。
　　"Ihavenodoubt，"saidMrs。Fairbankswithseveredeliberation，"thatMr。Lloydhasthegoodsensetoperceivethathisspecialtrainingfitshimforsomethingquitedifferent，andIthinkhewillnotbemadenoughtothrowawayhisbrilliantprospectsinanysuchsillymanner。Butcome，letushavesomemusic。Mr。Lloyd，youandBettysingsomethingforus。"
　　Astheymovedtothepiano，BrownlookedupatTheDon。Hishandsome，haughtyfacewassethardandinhiseyesburnedalightthatBrownhadoftenseenthereonthefootballfield。
　　"He’sgoingtotackleandtacklehard，too，pooroldchap。Notmuchchance，though，againstthatcombinationofChurchandState。"
　　"Oh，thatwetwowereMaying，"sangLloydinhisfinetenorvoice，withBettyrespondinginlikesentiment。
　　"Well，Iratherhopenot，"mutteredBrowntohimselfashecrossedtheroomtowhereHelenwasseated。Pausingamomentbesideherhesaidinalowtone，"TheDonhashadanofferonthenewrailwayconstructionintheWest——twoyears’appointment。Goandtalktohimaboutit。Looksfierce，doesn’the？"AndHelen，noddingintelligently，lingeredamomentandthenmovedtowhereTheDonsat，whileBrownwenttowardthepiano。"MustgettheseyoungstersinoculatedwiththeOccidentalmicrobe，"hemutteredashetookhisplacebesideMrs。Fairbanks，whowaslisteningwithpleasedapprovaltothe"Maying"duet，thepausesofwhichBrownindustriouslyemployedinsoothingherruffledfeelings。SowelldidhesucceedthatwhenheprofferedthehumblerequestthattheyoungladiesshouldbeallowedtoaccompanyhimtoShock’schurchinthemorning，Mrs。Fairbanksgaveareluctantassent。
　　"Undoubtedly，Iamagreatstrategist，"saidBrowntohimselfnextmorningashesatwatchingwithsurreptitiousglancesthefacesoftheyoungladiesbesidehim。Thepreacherwasathisbest。Thegreatlandwherehislifemissionlay，withitsprairies，foot—hillsmountains，andvalleys，andalltheirmarvellousresources，wasspreadoutbeforetheeyesofthecongregationwithallthepassionateprideofthepatriot。Thelifeofthelonelyrancherandofhismorelonelywife，thedesperatestruggleformanhoodbythemeanofthemineandtherailroadandthelumbercamp，themagnitudeoftheissuesatstake;thepathosofdefeat，thegloryoftriumph，wereallportrayedwithapowerthatcompelledthesympathyofhishearers，whiletheshrewdcommon—senseveinthatranthroughallconvincedtheirintellectsandwontheirconfidence。Perplexity，wonder，horror，compassion，filledtheirheartsandwerereflectedwithrapidsuccessionontheirfaces，ashetoldhisstoriesofthewreckofhumanlivesandconsequentagonyofhumanhearts。
　　"ByJove！they’vegotit，"exclaimedBrowntohimself。"ThedearMrs。Fairbankshasnoanti—toxineforthismicrobe。"HiseyesturnedtoShockandtherewereheldfast。"He’sgotit，too，confoundhim，"
　　hegrumbled。"Surely，hewouldn’tbebeastenoughtoleavehisoldmotheralone。"Themother’sfacewasastrangesight。Onittheanguishofherheartwasplainlytobeseen，butwiththeanguishtheraptgloryofthosewhotriumphbysacrifice。
　　AsthecongregationbrokeuptheyoungladieshurriedtogreetMrs。
　　Macgregor。FromthedayofthefootballmatchtheyhadcarefullyandpersistentlynursedtheacquaintancethenbeguntilltheyhadcometofeelathomeintheMacgregorcottage。Hence，whenBettyfellintosevereillnessandtheywereattheirwits’endforanurse，theygladlyacceptedMrs。Macgregor’sprofferedhelp，andduringthelonganxiousweeksthatfollowed，thewholefamilycametoregardwithrespect，confidence，andfinallywarmaffection，thedignifiedoldladywho，withsuchkindly，shrewd，andtendercare，nursedthesickgirlbacktostrength。Helenespecially，whohadsharedthelongwatchwithher，hadmadeforherselfalargeplaceinherheart。To—day，afteranexchangeofgreetings，HelendrewMrs。
　　Macgregorbackandallowedtheotherstogoon。Forsometimetheywalkedinsilence，Helenholdingtheoldladytightbythearm。
　　"Well，whatdoyouthinkofthat？"shesaidfinally。"Wasn’titwonderful？ItmakesoneproudtobeaCanadian。Whatacountrythatmustbe！IfIwereonlyaman！It’stoobadthatmenhaveallthegoodthings。Wouldn’tyouliketogoyourself？"
　　"ThatIwould，"saidtheoldladyeagerly，"thatIwould。ButI
　　doubtit’snotforme。Butyon’saman。"
　　"Yes，"criedHelenenthusiastically，"heisamantofollow。Ofcourse，itwasastrangesermonforachurch——thosestoriesofhis，Imean，andallthosefiguresaboutcoalbedsandgoldandcattle。
　　I’mnotusedtothatsortofthingandIdon’tliketoseethepeoplelaugh。"
　　"Ay，he’swise，"repliedtheoldladyshrewdly。"Whenamanlaughshe’snearertolettinghismoneygo。Ay，he’swise，yonman。"
　　"Ofcourse，Ithinkhe’sextreme，"saidHelen。"YouwouldthinktohearhimtherewasnoplacebuttheWestandthateveryyoungministermustgooutthereandgiveupeverything。"
　　"There’sfewtogo，Idoubt，"saidtheoldladyinamusingtone，"andyonareterrible—likeplacesforthoseladstolive。"
　　"Yes，buteveryonecan’tgo。"
　　"No，no。That’sit。That’sjustit。Notmanycangoandnotmanyarefittogo。Butthosethatcan——"theoldladypaused，drawingherbreathinsharply。
　　"Butsurelyamanmaydohisworkwithoutgivingupeverythingheholdsdear，"persistedHelen。
　　"’Forsakethnotallthathehath，’"quotedtheoldladysoftly。
　　"Yes，butthat’snotforeverybody，"insistedHelen。
　　"’Whosoever，’"quotedMrs。Macgregoragain，withasternrelentlessnessinhertone。"Ay，therewillbenoslippingoutfromunderyon。"
　　"Butsurely，"arguedHelen，"itisnotreasonabletothinkthateveryyoungministerisboundtoforsakehomeandfriends，andallthat，andgoouttothesewildplaces。"
　　"Noteveryonewillbecalled。Theapplicationwillnotbeeasyforanyofus，Idoubt。Oh，no！itwillnotbeeasy。"
　　"Butsurely，Mrs。Macgregor，thereareotherclaimsuponmen。"
　　"Thereissonlyoneclaim，lassie，onlyoneclaim。Hisclaimisthefirst。Allotherclaimswilljustbeworkingoutthatfirstone。Ay，that’sit，"shesaid，asifarrivingatdecision，"onlyoneclaim。
　　Godpeetyus！Oneclaim，"sheaddedwithasuddenbreakinhervoice。
　　AtthatbreakHelenglancedattheoldlady。Thestrongfacewasworkingstrangely。Thetearswereslowlymakingtheirwaydownthewrinkledface。
　　"Oh，Mrs。Macgregor！"exclaimedHelen，"thatseemsanawfullyharddoctrine。DoyouthinkGodeverwantsamantoleavefather，mother，wife，helplessbehind？"
　　"No，no，lassie，nothelpless。But——，"shecouldgonofurther。
　　"But，"shecontinuedafteramomentortwo，clutchingHelenbythearm，"he——will——be——going——away，lassie，hewillbegoingaway。Hewillbeleavingmeand——itissthewilloftheLord。Oh！lassie，lassie，heedmenot。Hemustneverseethetearsonmyface。"
　　"Don’t！don’t！"criedHeleninasuddenanguish。Shehadnoneedoffurtherwordstotellherwhattheoldladymeant。"Hewouldneverdosuchathing！Hecouldnotdoit！"
　　"Couldnot？"answeredMrs。Macgregor。"Ay，hecould，"shesaidproudly。"ThankGodhecould。Hewillnotbeshaminghisblood。Butoh！itisshimselfwillcarryasoreheartawaywithhimandleaveasoreheartbehind。"
　　"Oh，Mrs。Macgregor！"criedHelen，whileherbreathcamefastandherhandwenttoherownheart，"perhapshewillnotthinkittobehisduty。Perhapshewillnot——"
　　"Indeed，indeed，andIsawitinhissfacelastnight，andclearerthaneverto—day。Hehassheardthevoiceanditissforhimtoobey——andforus。"
　　TheywerenearMrs。Macgregor’shome，wheretheothersstoodwaitingforthematthegate。
　　"MayIcometoseeyou？"saidHelenhurriedly。
　　"Ay，come，"saidMrs。Macgregorwithakeenlookather，"youwillbeneeding——Iwillbeneedinghelp。"
　　Theotherstheyfoundeagerlydiscussingthesermon，buttherewaslittlecriticism。TheSuperintendenthadwonhisvolunteers。OnShock’sfacesattheserenityofagreatdecision，inhisdeepblueeyesthelightofagreatenterprise。Ashesaidgood—byetoHelen，shebecameawarethathisusualhesitating，nervousawkwardnesshadgivenplacetoquiet，thoughtfuldignity。Agreatresolveandagreatsacrificehadliftedhimfarabovethingssmallandcommon。
　　V
　　"YEA，ANDHISOWNLIFEALSO"
　　WhenHelenenteredherownroomshehadleisuretoanalysethetumultofemotionfillingherheart。Amazement，shame，anger，dismay，grief，weresurgingacrosshersoul。
　　"Howcanhethinkofleavinghismother？Itisashame！"shecriedindignantlytoherself。Butwhythishotsenseofshame？"Nonsense！"
　　sheprotestedvehementlytoherself，"itisthatpoor，dearoldladyIamthinkingof。"Sherememberedthatsuddenstabatherheartattheoldlady’sbrokenwords，"Hewillbegoingaway，lassie，"andhercheekflamedhotagain。"Itisallnonsense，"sherepeatedangrily，andtherebeingnoonetocontradicther，shesaiditagainwithevengreateremphasis。Butsuddenlyshesatdown，andbeforelongshefoundherselfsmilingatthememoryoftheoldlady’sproudcry，"Couldnot？Ay，hecould。"Andnowsheknewwhyherheartwassofullofhappypride。ItwasforShock。Hewasamanstrongenoughtoseehisdutyandbraveenoughtofacewhattohimwasthebitternessofdeath，forwellsheknewwhathismotherwastohim。
　　"Hewillgo，"shewhisperedtoherlooking—glass，"andI’dgowithhimto—morrow。But"——andherraceflamedhot——"hemustneverknow。"
　　Buthedidcometoknow，tohisowngreatamazementandoverwhelming，humblinggladness。
　　Shock’sdeterminationtoofferhimselftothefarWestawakenedinhisfriendsvariousemotions。
　　"Itisjustanotherinstanceofhowreligiousfanaticismwillleadmentothemostfantasticandselfishacts，"wasMrs。Fairbanks’
　　verdict，whicheffectedinBrownaswiftconversion。HithertohehadstrivenwithmightandmaintoturnShockfromhispurpose，usinganyandeveryargument，fairorunfair，topersuadehimthathisworklaywhereithadbeenbegun，inthecitywards。HewasthemoreurgedtothiscoursethathehadshrewdlyguessedHelen’ssecret，sosacredlyguarded。ButonhearingMrs。Fairbanks’exclamation，heatonceplungedintoawarmdefenceofhisfriend’scourse。
　　"ThefinestthingIeverheardof，"hedeclared。"Nooneknowswhatthesetwoaretoeachother，andyettheretheyare，bothofthem，arrivingattheopinionthatShock’sworkliesintheWest。"
　　"Buttoleavehismotheralone！"exclaimedMrs。Fairbanksindignantly。
　　"Sheisnottobealone，"saidBrown，makingthereandthenasuddenresolve。"BythegreatestofluckformeIamturnedoutofmyquarters，andsheistotakemein，andwhileIcan’tfillShock’splace，stillIamsomebody，"addedBrown，ferventlyhopingtheoldladywouldnotrefusehimshelter。
　　"Iamnotsurethatamanisevercalledtoleavehismothertothecareofstrangers，"saidLloyd，who，afterlongindecisionandmuchconsultationwithvariousfriends，haddeterminedthathisparticulargiftsandtrainingfittedhimforParkChurch。
　　"Oh！blankitall！"saidBrowntoHelen，"Ican’tstandthatrot！"
　　"Ibegyourpardon，"saidMrs。Fairbanks，lookinghaughtilyatBrownthroughherglasses。
　　"Iwasabouttosay，"repliedBrown，inthesweetestoftones，"thatifthesetwowhoaremostinterested，andwhoareextremelysaneandreasonablepersons，havecometoanagreementuponaquestion，I’dbankonthatdecisionasbeingaboutthething。"AtwhichHelengavehisarmaquicksqueeze。
　　"Well，mother，"saidBetty，"Ithinkhe’sfine，andIneveradmiredhimsomuchasnow。Youknowhemayneverseeheragain，andshehasthewholeofhisheart。"
　　"Notquite，Iguess，"saidBrowninalowtonetoHelen，who，blushingvividly，repliedinliketone，"Youseemtoberemarkablywellinformed。"
　　"Iknow，"saidBrownconfidently。"Butheisamineofblindstupidity！Ifsomeonewoulddighimup，explorehim——blasthim，inshort！Confoundhim！"
　　ButwhentheSuperintendentlearnedofallthatShock’sdecisioninvolved，hemadeapointtoinsertamonghismultitudinousengagementsavisittotheMacgregorcottage。
　　"Itwasagreatscene，Iassureyou，"saidBrown，whowasdescribingitafterwardstotheyoungladies。
　　"ThosetwooldSpartans，alliceandgraniteoutside，allmoltenlavawithin，stooduplookingateachotheraminuteortwowithoutthequiverofaneyelidandthentheoldchiefburredout:"
　　"’Youaretobecongratulateduponyourson，Mrs。Macgregor。’"
　　"’Ay，’saidsheinamatteroffacttone，’hewillbedoinghisduty，Iwarrant。’"
　　"’And，believeme，yourmutualsacrificehasnotbeenunnoticed。’"
　　"’ItisnotgreatbesideHisown，butitissallwecould。Itissourlife。’"
　　"Theoldchapbowedlikeaprinceandthenhisvoiceburredlikeabuzzsawasheanswered，’RememberIdidnotaskyouforhim！’"
　　"’No，itwassnotyou。’"
　　"’ButIwanttotellyou，’saidthechief，’IamproudtogetasonwhofortheCausecanforsakesuchamother，andIthankGodforthemotherthatcangiveupsuchason。’"
　　"Andthenhegrippedherhandwiththatdownwardpullofhis，——hegaveittomeoncewhenheheardIwasShock’sfriend，andnearlyjerkedmeoffmyfeet，——andwithoutmorewordshewasgone，whileI
　　stoodbehindthemlikeablubberingidiot。"
　　"Oh，isn’tsheadear！"exclaimedBetty，"poorthing。"
　　"Poorthing！"echoedHelenwarmly，"indeedshedoesn’tthinkso。
　　She’sasproudofhimasshecanbe，andfeelsherselfrichinhislove;andsosheis。"
　　HertoneandmannerstruckBrownwithsuddenpity。
　　"Hanghisstupidity！"hesaidtohimself，"can’ttheoldblokesee。
　　Buthehasnotsuchablamedlowopinionofhimselfthathecan’timagineanygirl，muchlessagirllikethat，lookingathim，andevenifhedidcometoseeithewouldnotthinkofaskinghertosharethelifehe’sgoingtooutthere;and，byJove！itwouldbehardenoughforher。IguessIwon’ttaketheresponsibilityofinterferinginthisbusiness。"
　　ButBrownhadnoneedtointerfere。Mrs。Fairbanks，ofallpeople，didwhatwasnecessary。OnthemorningofShock’sdepartureitwasshewhodeclaredthatsomeoneshouldtakepityon"thatdearoldlady，"andshouldstandbyherinherhourof"desertion。"
　　"SoIthinkIshalldriveoverthisafternoon;and，Helen，perhapsyouhadbettercomewithme。Youseemtohavegreatinfluencewithher。"
　　ButHelenwasofquiteanothermind。Sheshrankfromintrudinguponwhatsheknewwouldbeasacredhourtomotherandson。ButwhenMrs。FairbanksexpressedherdeterminationtogoHelenfinallyagreedtoaccompanyher。
　　"Oh，let’sallgo，mother，"saidBetty。
　　"Idonotthinktheywillwantyou，Betty，butyoumaygoalong，"
　　andsothethreeladiesproceededintheafternoontotheMacgregorhome。
　　ButatthepartingofShockandhismothertherewerenotearsorlamentations，oratleastnonethatanycouldwitness。Throughthelongnightbefore，theyeachknewtheothertobekeepingthewatchofloveandagony;yet，eachalone，theydrankthecupofsacrifice。
　　ItwasonlywhenthemorningwasnearingthatShockcouldbearitnolonger，andhastilydressinghecameintohismother’sroomandkneelingbyherbedsideputhisarmsabouther。
　　"Mother，mother，whyhaveyounotbeensleeping？"hewhispered。
　　Hismotherturnedtohimandtookhisheadtoherbosominacloseembrace，butnowordscamefromher。
　　"But，mother，don’tbegrievinglikethis，"sobbedShock，"orhowcanIleaveyouatall。"
　　"Laddie，laddie，whydidyoucomeintome？Ihadmindedtogiveyouupwithouttears，andthisissmyhourofweakness。Therenow，letyourheadliethere。Whist！lad，och—hone。Itisstwenty—fouryearssincefirstyoulaythere，lad，andthoughgriefhasscometomemany’stheday，yetneverthroughyou，neveroncethroughyou，andyouwillberememberingthat，lad。Itwillcomfortyouafter——after—
　　—afterI’mgone。"
　　"Gone，mother！"criedShockinsurprise。
　　"Yess，forthisissthewordgiventomethisnight，thatyouwillseemyfacenomore。"
　　"Oh，mother！mother！don’tsaythatword，forIcannotbearit，"andpoorShockburiedhisfaceinthepillow，whilehisgreatframeshookwithsobs。