"Oh，Shock，"hesaid，"thisistoomuch。WhatcanIsay？"
　　"Nothingatall，oldchap。Don’tsayanythingWhatisthatbetweenus？Wehavebeenthroughtoomanythingstogethertohavethisbotherus。"
　　"Shock！Shock！"continuedTheDon，"Ihavebeenanawfulfool，ablank，cursedfool！"
　　"Don’tswear，oldchap，"saidShock。
　　"No，no，Iwon’t，butIcursemyself。Ihavebeenwaitingforthischancetotellyou。Idon’twantyoutothinktoobadlyofme。ThisthingbeganinHickey’ssaloonsomedaysbeforethatnight。Hewasplayingsomefellowsfromthecampaskingame。Icalledhimdownandhechallengedme。Itookhimup，andcleanedhimouteasilyenough。Youknowmyoldweakness。Thefevercamebackuponme，andI
　　gotgoingforsomedays。ThatnightIwascalledtovisitasickgirlatNancy’s。Thegangcamein，foundmethere，andthrowingdowntheirmoneydaredmetoplay。Well，Iknewitwasplayorfight。I
　　tookofmycoatandwentforthem。Theycleanedmeout，Ican’ttellhow。Icouldnotgetontotheirtrick。Then，determinedtofindout，Iputupthat——thatothermoney，youknow——andIwaslosingitfast，too，whenyoucamein。"
　　AsShocklistenedtoTheDon’sstoryhisfacegrewbrighterandbrighter。
　　"Mydearfellow，"hesaidinatoneofrelief，"isthatall？Isthatthewholething？Tellme，asGodhearsyou！"
　　"That’sthewholestory，asGodhearsme！"saidTheDonsolemnly。
　　"Oh，thankGod！"saidShock。"Ithought——Iwasafraid——"Hepaused，unabletogoon。
　　"What！YouthoughtIhadforgotten，"criedTheDon。"Well，Iconfessthingsdidlookbad。ButIwanttotellyouIamclean，andmayGodkillmebeforeIcanforget！No，nowomanshallevertouchmylipswhileIlive。Doyoubelieveme，Shock？"
　　Shockputouthishand。Hewasstilltoomuchmovedtospeak。
　　Atlengthhesaid:"Nothingelsematters，Don。Icouldnotbeartheotherthing。"
　　Forsomeminutesthefriendssatinsilence。
　　"But，Don，"saidShockatlength，"youcannotgoonthisway。Yourwholelifeisbeingruined。YoucannotdrawofffromGod。YouhavebeenkeepingHimatarm’slength。Thiswillnotdo。"
　　"Itisnouse，Shock，"saidTheDonbitterly。"Myheadisallright。
　　Ibelievewithyou。ButIcannotgetoverthefeelingIhaveforthat——"Hebrokeoffsuddenly。
　　"Iknow，Iknow。Ifeelit，too，oldchap，butafterall，itisnotworthwhile。Andbesides，Don，forgivemesayingthis——ifithadnotbeentrueaboutyouhecouldnothavehurtyou，couldhe？"
　　TheDonwinced。
　　"Iamnotexcusinghim，norblamingyou，"continuedShockeagerly，"butamanhasgottobehonest。Isn’tthatright？"
　　"Oh，yes，itistrueenough，Shock。Iwasabeast，asyouknow，atthattimeinmylife，butIhadputitallpastme，andIbelievedthatGodhadforgivenme。Andthenthosetworakeditallupagain，andbrokemydarling’sheart，anddrovemeaway，anoutcast。Heisaministerofthegospel，andsheisamemberoftheChristianChurch。"
　　"Don，"saidShockgravely，"thatwon’tdo。Youarenotfair。"
　　Thedooropenedquietly，andthenursecameinandsatdownoutofShock’ssightbehindthebed。
　　"Now，Don，IwantyoutoreadformethattaleofthePhariseeandthewomanwhowasasinner。Formysake，mindyou，aswellasforyours，forIwaswrong，too，onthismatter。IconfessIhatedhim，forIcannothelpthinkingthathehasdonemeagreatwrongsandI
　　havefoundithardenoughtosaytheLord’sPrayer。Perhapsyouhadbetterreadthislettersothatyoumayunderstand。"
　　HetookfromunderhispillowMrs。Fairbanks’letterandgaveittoTheDon，whoreaditinsilence。PoorShock！Hewasopeningupwoundsthatnonehadeverseen，orevensuspected，andthemereuncoveringofthembroughthimkeenanguishandhumiliation。
　　AsTheDonreadtheletterhebegantosweardeepoaths。
　　"Stop，Don。Youmustn’tswear。Nowlistentome。Ithinkshehasaperfectrighttodoasshehasbeendoing。But——Lloyd"——Shockseemedtogetthenameoutwithdifficulty，——"wasmyfriend，andIthinkhehasnotbeenfair。"
　　"Fair！"burstoutTheDon。"Thelowdownvillain！"
　　"Butlisten。Thequestionwithmehasbeenhowtoforgivehim，forI
　　mustforgivehimorkeepfarfromHimwhohasforgivenme，andthatIcannotaffordtodo。Nowread。"AndTheDontookuptheBiblefromthelittletablebesideShock’sbed，andreadthatmosttouchingofalltalestoldoftheSaviourofthesinful。
　　"’WhereforeIsayuntothee，hersins，whicharemany，areforgiven，forshelovedmuch:buttowhomlittleisforgiven，thesamelovethlittle。Andhesaiduntoher，Thysinsareforgiven。Thyfaithhathsavedthee;goinpeace。’"
　　AsTheDonfinishedreading，asoundofsobbingbrokethesilenceintheroom。
　　"Whoisthat？Isthatyou，Nell？"saidShock。"Whatisthematter，Nell？Thatisforyou，too。NowwewillhaveDonreaditagain。"Andoncemore，withgreatdifficulty，TheDonreadthewords，soexquisitelydelicate，sodivinelytender。
　　"Thatisforyou，too，Nell，"saidShock。
　　"Forme？"shecried。"Oh，no，notforme！"
　　"Yes，Nell，mysister，itisforyou。"
　　"Oh，"shecried，withatempestofsobs，"don’tcallmethat。Itcannotbe。Icanneverbecleanagain。"
　　"Yes，Nell，HesaysitHimself。’Hersins，whicharemany，areforgiven，’andHecanmakeyoucleanastheangels。Weallneedtobemadeclean，andHehasundertakentocleanseus。"
　　ItwasaveryhumbleandchastenedmanthatwentoutfromShock’spresencethatevening。ThroughthedaysoftheweekthatfollowedTheDonwentabouthisworkspeakinglittle，butgivinghimselfwithearnestnessandinanewspirit，moregentle，moresympathetic，tohisministrytothesickinthecampsandshacksroundabout。Butstillthegloomwasunliftedfromhisheart。Daybyday，however，inresponsetoShock’srequesthewouldreadsomethingofthestoryofthatgreatlovingministrationtothepoor，andsick，andneedy，andofinfinitecompassionforthesinfulandoutcast，tilloneday，whenShockhadbeenallowedforthefirsttimetositinhischair，andTheDonwasabouttoread，Shockaskedforthestoryofthedebtors，andafterTheDonhadfinishedhetookfromhispocketBrown’sletterandsaid:
　　"Now，Don，forgiveme。Iamgoingtoreadsomethingthatwillmakeyouunderstandthatstory，"andhereadfromBrown’sletterthewordsthatdescribedBetty’slasthour。
　　TheDonsatwhiteandrigiduntilShockcametothewords，"Godforgivesusall，andwemustforgive，"whenhisself—controlgavewayandheabandonedhimselftothefullindulgenceofhisgreatsorrow。
　　"Itwasnottogrieveyou，Don，"saidShock，afterhisfriend’spassionofgriefhadsubsided。"Itwasnottogrieveyou，youknow，buttoshowyouwhatisworthwhileseeing——themannerofGod’sforgiveness;forassheforgaveandtookyoutoherpureheartagainwithoutfearorshrinking，soGodforgivesus。And，Don，itisnotworthwhile。inthefaceofsogreataforgiveness，todoanythingelsebutforgive，anditisacruelthing，andawickedthing，tokeepatadistancesuchloveasthat。"
　　"No，no，"saidTheDon，"itisnotworthwhile。Itiswicked，anditisfolly。Iwillgoback。Iwillforgive。"
　　XIX
　　THEREGIONSBEYOND
　　ThevisitoftheSuperintendenttoamissionfieldvariedaccordingtothenatureofthefieldandthecharacteroftheworkdone，betweenaninquisitorialprocessandatriumphalmarch。Nothingescapedhiskeeneye。Itneedednoquestioningonhisparttobecomepossessedofalmostallthefactsnecessarytohisfullinformationaboutthefield，thework，thefinancialcondition，andthegeneralefficiencyofthemissionary。Oneortwopointshewassuretomakeinquiryabout。Oneofthesewasthecarethemissionaryhadtakenoftheoutlyingpoints。Hehadtheeyeofanexplorer，whichalwaysrestsonthehorizon。Theresultsofhisinvestigationscouldeasilybereadinhisjoyorhisgrief，hishopeorhisdisappointment，hisgenuineprideinhismissionaryorhisblazing，scorchingrebuke。
　　TheoneconsiderationwiththeSuperintendentwastheprogressofthework。Theworkfirst，theworklast，theworkalways。
　　TheannouncementtoShockthroughhisConvener，thattheSuperintendentpurposedmakingavisitinthespring，filledhimwithmoreorlessanxiety。HerememberedonlytoowellhisfailureattheFort;hethoughtofthatpostscriptintheSuperintendent’slettertohisConvener;heknewthateveninLoonLakeandinthePasshischurchorganizationwasnotanythingtoboastof;andaltogetherheconsideredthattheresultshehadtoshowforhisyear’slabourwerefewandmeagre。
　　Thewinterhadbeenlongandsevere。InthePasstherehadbeenagreatdealofsickness，bothamongtheminersandamongthelumbermen。Theterriblesufferingsthesemenhadtoendurefromthecoldandexposure，forwhichtheywerealltooinadequatelyprepared，broughtnotonlyphysicalevilsuponthem，butreactedinorgiesunspeakablydegrading。
　　Thehospitalwasfull。NellhadbeenretainedbyTheDonasnurse，andalthoughforatimethismeantconstanthumiliationandtrialtoher，sheboreherselfwithsuchgentlehumility，anddidherworkwithsuchsweetanduntiringpatience，thatthemenbegantoregardherwiththatentirerespectandcourteousconsiderationthatmenoftheirclassneverfailtogivetopureandhigh—mindedwomen。
　　TheDonwasfullofwork。Hevisitedthecamps，treatedthesickandwoundedthere，andbroughtdowntothehospitalsuchasneededtobemovedthither，andgraduallywonhiswayintotheconfidenceofallwhocameintotouchwithhim。EvenIke，afterlonghesitationandsomewhatcarefulobservation，gavehimoncemorehisrespectandhisfriendship。
　　ThedoctorwaskeptbusybyanepidemicofdiphthericcroupthathadbrokenoutamongthechildrenoftheLoonLakedistrict，andbegantotakeoncemoreprideinhiswork，andtoregainhisself—respectandself—control。HetookespecialprideandjoyintheworkofTheDonatthePass，anddidallhecouldtomakethehospitalandtheclubroomaccomplishallthegoodthatShockhadhopedforthem。
　　ButthoughthehospitalandclubroomhaddonemuchforthemenofthePass，therewasstilltheancientwarfarebetweentheforcesthatmakeformanhoodandthosethatmakeforitsdestruction。
　　Hickeystillranhissaloon，andhisgangstillaidedhiminallhisnefariouswork。Menwerestill"run"intothesaloonorthered—
　　lighthouses，theretobe"rolled，"andthencetobekickedout，fitcandidatesforthehospital。Thehospitaldoorwaseveropenforthem，andwhateverthehistory，thephysicalormoralconditionofthepatient，hewasreceived，andwithgentle，lovingministrationtendedbacktohealth，andsentoutagaintocampormine，oftenonlytoreturnforanotherplungeintotheabyssoflustandconsequentmisery;sometimes，however，tosethisfeetupontheupwardtrailthatledtopureandnoblemanhood。ForTheDon，whileheneverpreached，tookpainstomakecleartoallwhocameunderhischargetheresultsoftheirfollyandtheirsintobodyandtomind，aswellastosoul，andhehadthetrickofforcingthemtotakeuponthemselvesthefullresponsibilityfortheirdestiny，whetheritwastobestrength，soundnessofmind，happiness，heaven，ordisease，insanity，misery，hell。Itwasheart—breakingwork，forthedisappointmentsweremanyandbitter，butwithnowandthenanachievementofsuchsplendidvictoryasgavehopeandcouragetokeepupthefight。
　　AtLoonLakeduringthewinterShockhaddevotedhimselftotheperfectingofhischurchorganizationACommunionRollhadbeenformedandonitnamesenteredofmenandwomenwhoselastchurchconnectionreachedbackfortenorfifteenortwentyyears，andalongwiththosethenamesofsomewhohadneverbeforehadaplaceinthatmysticorderofthesaintsofGod。And，indeed，withsomeoftheseShockhadhadhisowndifficulty，notinpersuadingthemtoofferthemselvesascandidates，butinpersuadinghimselftoassumetheresponsibilityofacceptingthem。ToShockwithhisHighlandtrainingitwasaterriblysolemnstepto"comeforward。"Theresponsibilityassumed，bulkedsolargelyintheopinionofthosewhomShockhadalwaysregardedaspeculiarlymenofGod，thatitalmost，ifnotaltogether，obliteratedtheprivilegegained。
　　WhenamanlikeSinclair，whosereputablecharacterandsteadylifeseemedtoharmonizewithsuchastep，hehadlittledifficulty;andhadtheKid，withhisquickintelligence，hisfinenessofspiritandhiswinningdisposition，appliedforadmission，Shockwouldhavehadnohesitationinreceivinghim。ButtheKid，althougharegularattendantontheservices，andthoughhetookespecialdelightintheSabbatheveninggatheringsafterservice，hadnotapplied，andShockwouldnotthinkofbringinghimunderpressure;andallthemorebecausehehadnotfailedtoobservethattheKid’sinterestseemedtobemorepronouncedandmoresteadfastinthosemeetingsinwhichMarion’ssingingwasthefeature。True，thispeculiaritytheKidsharedwithmanyothersoftheyoungmeninthedistrict，toShock’sveryconsiderableembarrassment，thoughtothegirl’sinnocentandfrankdelight;anditisfairtosaythattheyoungmen，whomShockhadputupontheirhonorinregardtoonewhowasbutachild，neverbywordorlookfailedinthatmanlyandconsideratecourtesythatmarksthenoblenatureindealingwiththeweakandunprotected。
　　ThetruthabouttheKidwasthatthatgayyoungprinceofbronchobusters，withhisdevil—may—caremannerandhisdebonairappearance，wassogreatlysoughtafter，soflatteredandsofetedbytheriotousandrecklesscompanyattheFort，ofwhichtheInspectorandhiswifewerethemovingspirits，thathewastornbetweenthetwosetsofinfluencesthatplayeduponhim，andhehadnotyetcometothepointoffinaldecisionastowhichkingdomheshouldseek。
　　ItwaswithIkeandmenlikeIke，however，thatShockhadhisgreatestdifficulty，forwhentheearnestappealwasmadeformentoidentifythemselveswiththecausethatstoodforallthatwasnoblestinthehistoryoftherace，andtoswearallegiancetoHimwhowasatoncetheidealandtheSaviourofmen，IkewithoutanysortofhesitationcameforwardandtoShock’samazement，and，indeed，tohisdismay，offeredhimself。ForIkewasregardedthroughallthatsouthcountryasthemostdaringlyrecklessofallthecattle—men，andneverhadhebeenknowntoweakeneitherin"takin’
　　hispizen，"in"playin’thelimit"inpoker，orin"standin’upaginanymanthatthoughthecoulddusthispants。"Ofcoursehewas"white。"Everyoneacknowledgedthat。ButjusthowfarthisqualityofwhitenessfittedhimasacandidateforthecommuniontableShockwasatalosstosay。
　　HeresolvedtodealwithIkeseriously，buttheinitialdifficultyinthiswasthatIkeseemedtobequiteunperplexedaboutthewholematter，andentirelyunafraid。Shock’sdifficultyanddistressweresensiblyincreasedwhenontakingIkeoverthe"marks"oftheregenerateman，ashehadheardthemsofullyandsearchinglysetforthinthe"QuestionMeetings"inthecongregationofhischildhood，hediscoveredthatIkewasapparentlyignorantofallthedeepermarks，andwhatwasworse，seemedtobequiteundisturbedbytheirabsence。
　　WhileShockwasproceedingwithhisexaminationhewasexceedinglyanxiouslestheshouldrevealtoIkeanysuspicionastohisunfitnessforthestepheproposedtotake。Atthesametime，hewasfilledwithanxietylestthroughanyunfaithfulnessofhisonaccountoffriendshipamistakeinsosolemnamattershouldbemade。ItwasonlywhenheobservedthatIkewasbeginningtogrowuneasyunderhissomewhatsearchingexamination，andevenofferedtowithdrawhisname，thatShockdecidedtocasttothewindsallhispreconceivednotionsofwhatconstitutedfitnessforenrollmentintheChurchofthelivingGod，andproceededtoaskIkesomeplain，commonsensequestions。
　　"Youaresureyouwanttojointhischurch，Ike？"
　　"That’swhat，"saidIke。
　　"Whydoyouwanttojoin？"
　　"Well，yougaveusaclearinvite，didn’tyou？"
　　"ButImean，isitformysake？BecauseIaskedyou？"
　　"Why，sure。Iwanttostandatyourback"
　　Shockwaspuzzled。Hetriedanotherlineofapproach。
　　"Doyouknow，Ike，whatyouarejoining？"
　　"Well，it’syourchurch，yousaid。"
　　"SupposingIwasnothereatall，wouldyoujoin？"
　　"Can’tsay。Guessnot。"
　　Shockfelthimselfblockedagain。
　　"Ike，doyouthinkyouarereallyfittodothis？"
　　"Fit？Well，youdidn’tsayanythingaboutbein’fit。Yousaidifanyonewaswillin’totakeitup，tostaywiththegame，tocomeon。"
　　"Yes，yes，Iknow，Ike。Ididsaythat，andImeantthat，"saidShock。"But，Ike，youknowthattheApostlecallsthosewhobelongtothechurch’saintsofGod。’"
　　"Saints，eh？Well，Iaintnosaint，Icantellyouthat。GuessI’moutofthiscombination。No，sir，Iaintnoparadox——paragon，I
　　mean。"IkerememberedtheKid’scorrection。
　　Hisdisappointmentandperplexitywerequiteevident。AfterhearingShock’sinvitationfromthepulpitithadseemedsoplain，sosimple。
　　HisanswerrenderedShockdesperate。
　　"Lookhere，Ike，Iamgoingtobeplainwithyou。Youwon’tmindthat？"
　　"Waderightin。"
　　"Well，yousometimesswear，don’tyou？"
　　"Yes，that’sso。ButI’veprettymuchquit，unlessthere’ssomeextraordinaryoccasion。"
　　"Well，youdrink，don’tyou？"
　　"Why，sure。WhenIcangitit，andgititgood，whichainteasyinthiscountrynow。"
　　"Andyousometimesfight？"
　　"Well，"inatonealmostofdisappointment，"thereaintnobodywantin’toexperimentwithmeinthesepartsanylonger。"
　　"Andyougamble？Playpokerformoney，Imean？"
　　"Oh，well，Idon’tprofesstobetherealthing，"repliedIkemodestly，asifdisclaiminganexcellencehecouldhardlyhopetoattain，"butIginerallykinstaysomewiththegame。"
　　"Now，Ike，listentome。I’mgoingtogiveittoyoustraight。"
　　Ikefacedhisministersquarely，lookinghimfairintheeyes。
　　"Youhavebeendoingprettymuchasyoulikeallalong。Now，ifyoujointhechurchyouareswearingsolemnlytodoonlywhatJesusChristlikes。YougiveyourwordyouwilldoonlywhatyouthinkHewants。Yousee？HeistobeyourMaster。"
　　"Yes，"saidIke。"Yes，that’sso。That’sright。"
　　"Ineverything，remember。"
　　"Why，sure。"ThatseemedquitesimpletoIke。
　　"Swearing，drinking，fighting，gambling，"Shockcontinued。
　　Ikehesitated。
　　"Why，youdon’tsupposeHewouldmindalittlethinglikeasmilewiththeboysnowandthen，oraquietgameofpoker，doyou？"
　　"WhatIsay，Ike，isthis——ifyouthoughtHedidmind，wouldyouquit？"
　　"Why，sure。Youjustbet！Isaidso。"
　　"Well，Ike，supposingsome——oneofthosechapsfromthePass，sayHickey，shouldwalkupandhityourighttheface，whatwouldyoudo？"
　　"What？Proceedtoeddicatehim。Prejecthimintonextweek。Thatis，iftherewasanythingleft。"
　　ShockopenedhisBibleandread，"’ButIsayuntoyou，Thatyeresistnotevil;butwhosoevershallsmitetheeonthyrightcheekturntohimtheotheralso。’ThatiswhatJesusChristsays，Ike。"
　　"Hedoes，eh？Doesitmeanjustthat？"Ikefeltthatthiswasaseriousdifficulty。
　　"Yes，itmeansjustthat。"
　　"Areallyoufellerslikethat？"
　　ThiswroughtinShocksuddenconfusion。
　　"Well，Ike，Iamafraidnot，butweoughttobe，andweaimtobe。"
　　"Well，"saidIkeslowly，"IguessIaintmadethatway。"
　　ThenShockturnedtheleavesofhisBible，andreadthestoryofthecruelbruisingoftheSonofMan，andontothewords，"Father，forgivethem。"Ikehadheardthisstorybefore，buthehadneverseenitsbearinguponpracticallife。
　　"Isay，"hesaid，withreverentadmirationinhisvoice，"Hedidit，didn’tHe？That’swhatIcallprettyhighjumpin’，aintit？Well，"
　　hecontinued，"Ican’tmakenopromises，butItellyouwhat，I’llaimatit。Iwill，honest。Andwhenyouseemeweaken，you’lljackmeup，won’tyou？You’llhavetostaywithme，forit’samightyhardproposition。"
　　ThenShocktookhishands。"Ike，youareabettermanthanIam，butIpromiseyouIwillstayallIcanwithyou。ButtherewillbedayswhenyouwillbeallaloneexceptthatHewillbewithyou。Nowlisten，"andShock，turningovertheleavesofhisBible，read，"Lo，Iamwithyoualways，"andalittlefurtheroverandreadagain，"I
　　candoallthingsthroughChristthatstrengthenethme。"
　　"ThatisHissolemnpromise，Ike。Hehaspromisedtosaveusfromoursins。DoyouthinkyoucantrustHimtodothat？"
　　"Why，sure，"saidIke，asifnothingelsewaspossible。"That’sHisgame，aintit？IguessHe’llstaywithit。Hesaidso，didn’tHe？"
　　"Yes，"saidShock，withasuddenexaltationoffaith，"Hesaidso，andHewillstaywithit。Don’tyoubeafraid，Ike。Hewillseeyouthrough。"
　　TheCommunionRollwhenitwascompletednumberedsomeeighteennames，andoftheseeighteennoneweremoresorelypressedtothewallinGod’sbattlethanIke，andnonemoreloyallythanhestayedwiththegame。
　　Owingtomiscarriageinarrangements，whentheSuperintendentarrivedattheForthewassurprisedtofindnoonetomeethim。
　　ThishadanappearanceofcarelessnessormismanagementthatunfavorablyimpressedtheSuperintendentastothebusinesscapacityofhismissionary。Hewastooexperiencedatraveller，however，intheremoteandunformeddistrictsoftheWest，tobeatalldisconcertedatalmostanymisadventure。
　　HeinquiredforMr。Macfarren，andfoundhiminSimmons’store，redolentofbadtobaccoandworsewhiskey，butquitemasterofhismentalandphysicalpowers。TheSuperintendenthadbusinesswithMr。
　　Macfarren，andproceededforthwithtotransactit。
　　Afterhisfirstsalutationhebegan，"WhenIsawyoulast，Mr。
　　Macfarren，youprofessedyourselfkeenlydesirousofhavingservicesestablishedbyourchurchhere。"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Whythissuddenchange，representedbyyourlettertotheCommittee，andthepetition，whichIjudgewaspromotedbyyourself？
　　Iplacedamanhere，witheveryexpectationofsuccess。Howcanyouexplainthischangeinyouandinthepeopleyourepresent？"
　　TheSuperintendent’sbodilypresencewasanythingbutweak，andmenwhocouldopposehimwhenatadistance，whenconfrontedwithhimfounditdifficulttosupporttheiropposition。Macfarrenfounditso。Hebeganinanapologeticmanner，"Well，Doctor，circumstanceshavechanged。Timeshavebeennonetoogood。Infact，wearesufferingfromfinancialstringencyatpresent。"
　　"Mr。Macfarren，bespecificastoyourreasons。YourletterandyourpetitionwereinstrumentalinpersuadingtheCommitteetoacompletechangeofpolicy。Thisshouldnotbewithouttheverybestofreasons。"
　　"Well，asIwassaying，"answeredMacfarren，"financeswere——"
　　"Tut！tut！Mr。Macfarren。Youdonotallbecomepoorinsixmonths。
　　Yourcattlearestillhere。Yourhorseshavesufferedfromnoplague。"
　　"Well，"saidMr。Macfarren，"thepeoplehavebecomealienated。"
　　"Alienated？Fromthechurch？"
　　"Well，yes。Theyseemtobesatisfiedwith——toprefer，indeed，theAnglicanservices。"
　　"Mr。Macfarren，doyoumeantotellmethatthePresbyteriansofthiscountrypreferanychurchtotheirown？IfeartheyareadifferentbreedfromthoseIhaveknown，andunworthytorepresentthechurchoftheirfathers。"
　　"Well，thetruthis，Doctor，"saidMacfarren，considerablynettledattheSuperintendent’smanner，"thepeopleconsiderthattheywerenotwelltreatedinthesupplyyousentthem。"
　　"Ah！Nowwehaveit。Well，letusbespecificagain。IsMr。
　　Macgregornotagoodpreacher？"
　　"No，heisnot。Heisnotsuchapreacherasmanyofushavebeenaccustomedto。"
　　"Bytheway，Mr。Macfarren，whatdoyourpeoplepaytowardthisman’ssalary？Fivehundred？Threehundred？Weonlyaskedyoutwohundred，andthisyoufounddifficult。Andyetyouexpectatwo—
　　thousand—dollarpreacher。"
　　"Well，hispreachingwasnothisonlyfault，"saidMacfarren。"Hewastotallyunsuitedtoourpeople。Hewasamanofnobreeding，nomanners，andinthistownweneedaman——"
　　"Waitamoment，Mr。Macfarren。Youcanputupwithhispreaching？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Didhevisithispeople？"
　　"Yes，goodnessknows，hedidthatenough。"
　　"Washischaractergood？"
　　"Oh，certainly。"
　　"ThenIunderstandyoutosaythatasapreacherhewaspassable，asapastorandasamanallthatcouldbedesired？"
　　"Oh，yes，certainly。Buthewas——well，ifyouhavemethimyoumustknowwhatImean。Inshort，hewasuncouthandboorishinhismanners。"
　　TheSuperintendentdrewhimselfup，andhisvoicebegantoburrinawaythathisfriendswouldhaverecognizedasdangerous。