Thenthecongregationhadathrill。InthebackseatroseHarryHobbs。
　　"I’mnearfortyyearsold，"hecried，inahighnasaltonethatindicatedastateofextremenervoustension，"andIneverspokeinmeetin’before。Iain’thadnouseforchurchesandpreachers，andIguesstheyhadn’tnouseforme。Youfolksallknowme。I’vebeeninthisburgforneareightyears，andIwasadrinkin’，swearin’，fightin’cuss。ThispreachercameintothebarnonedaywhenIwasfreezin’todeathafterabigspree。Hetukmehomewithhimandkep’metherefortwoweeks，settin’upnightswithme，too。Letmebe，"hesaidimpatientlytoBarry，whowastryingtopullhimdowntohisseat。"I’magoin’tospeakthistimeifitkillsme。ManyatimeIdonehimdirtsencethen，buthestucktome，andneverquittillhegotmeturned’round。Iwasgoin’
　　straighttohell；hesaysI’mgoin’toheavennow。"Herehelaughedwithatouchofscorn。"Idunno。But，bygum！ifyoufirehimanddohimdirt，Idon’tknowwhat’llbecomeofme，butIguessI’llgostraighttohellagain。"
　　"No，Harry，noyouwon’t。You’llkeeprighton，Harry，straighttoheaven。"Itwasthepreacher’svoice，fullofcheeryconfidence。
　　Mrs。Inneswasaudiblysniffling；Mrs。StewartDuffwipinghereyes。Itwasdoubtlessthissightthatbroughtherhusbandtohisfeet。
　　"Idon’tquiteknowwhatthetroubleishere，"hesaid。"I
　　understandtherearearrears。Iheardsomecriticismoftheminister’spreaching。Ican’tsayIcaremuchforitmyself，butI
　　wanttosayrightherethatthereareotherthingswantedinaminister，andthisyoungfellowhasgotsomeofthem。Ifhestays，hegetsmymoney；ifhedoesn’t，nooneelsedoes。I’llmakeyougentlemenwhoarekickingaboutfinancesasportingproposition。
　　I’mwillingtodoublemysubscription，ifanyothertenmenwillcovermyante。"
　　"I’llcallyou，"saidNeilFraser，"andI’llraiseyouone。"
　　"I’mwillingtomeetMr。DuffandMr。Fraser，"saidMissQuigg，risingfrombehindherorganwithatriumphantsmileonherface。
　　"Iain’tgotmuchmoney，"saidHarryHobbs，"butI’llgoyoujusthalfwhatIearnifyou’llmeetmeonthatproposition。"
　　"Ahmaysay，"saidMr。Innes，yieldingtohiswife’svigorousvocalandphysicalincitations，"A’mprepair—r—edtomak’asubstantialincreaseinmysubscreeption——thatis，ifnecessary，"headdedcautiously。
　　ThenBarrycameforwardfromthebackofthechurchandstoodbeforetheplatform。Afterlookingthemoverforafewmomentsinsilence，hesaid，inavoiceclear，quiet，butwitharinginitthatmadeitechoineveryheart：
　　"Haditnotbeenfortheselastspeeches，itwouldhavebeenunnecessarytoallowthemotiontogobeforeyou。IcouldnothaveremainedwhereIamnotwanted。ButnowIampuzzled，Iconfess，I
　　amreallypuzzledtoknowwhattodo。Iamnotagreatpreacher，I
　　know，butthenthereareworse。Idon’t，atleastIthinkIdon’t，talknonsense。AndIamnotwhatMr。McFettridgecallsa’goodmixer。’Ontheotherhand，IthinkMr。Innesisrightwhenhesaysthebairnslikeme；atleast，itwouldbreak"——hepaused，hislipquivering，thenhewentonquietly——"itwouldbeveryhardtothinktheydidn’t。"
　　"Theydothat，then，"saidMrs。Innes，emphatically。
　　"Soyousee，itisreallyverydifficulttoknowwhattodo。I
　　wouldhatetogoaway，butitmightberighttogoaway。Isuggestyouletmehaveaweektothinkitover。Canyouwaitthatlong？"
　　Hishandsome，boyishface，alightwithafineglowofearnestnessandsincerity，madeirresistibleappealtoallbutthosewhoforpersonalreasonswereopposedtohim。
　　"Yousee，"hecontinued，inatoneofvoicedeliberativeandquitedetached，"thereareanumberofthingstothinkabout。Thosearrears，forinstance，arehardlymyfault——atleast，notaltogether。
　　Iwaslookingoverthetreasurer’sbookstheotherday，andIwassurprisedtofindhowmanyhadapparentlyquiteforgottentopaytheirchurchsubscription。Itisnodoubtjustanoversight。Forinstance，"headded，intheconfidentialtoneofoneimpartinginterestingandvaluableinformation，"youwillbesurprisedtolearn，Mr。Duff，thatyouaretwenty—fivedollarsbehindinyourpayments。"
　　AtthisNeilFraserthrewbackhisheadwithaloudlaugh。
　　"Touche！"hesaid，inajoyousundertone。
　　Theministerlookedathiminsurprise，andwenton，"AndwhileMr。
　　InnesandMissQuiggarebothpaidupinfull，Mr。Hayeshasapparentlyneglectedtopayhislastquarter。"
　　"Hithimagain，"murmuredHarryHobbs，whileMr。Hayesroseinvirtuousindignation。
　　"Iprotest，Mr。Chairman！"hecried，"againstthesepersonalities。"
　　"Oh，youquitemistakeme，Mr。Hayes，"saidthepreacher，"thesearenotpersonalities。Iamsimplyshowinghoweasyitisforarrearstoarise，andthatitmaynotbemyfaultatall。Ofcourse，itmayberightformetoresign。Idon’tknowaboutthatyet，butIwanttobeverysure。Itwouldbeeasiertoresign，butIdon’twanttobeaquitter。"
　　"Imoveweadjourn，"saidNeilFraser。
　　"Isecondthemotion，"saidStewartDuff。Themotionwascarried，andthemeetingadjourned。
　　Atthedoortheministerstoodshakinghandswithallastheypassedout，makingnodistinctionintheheartinesswithwhichhegreetedallhisparishioners。ToMissQuigg，however，hesaid，"Thankyou。Youweresplendidlyplucky。"
　　"Nonsense！"criedthelittlelady，thecolourflaminginherfadedcheeks。"But，"sheaddedhastily，"youdidthatbeautifully，andhedeservedit，thelittlebeast！"
　　"Solarplexus！"saidNeilFraser，whowasimmediatelybehindMissQuigg。
　　Theministerglancedfromonetotheotherinperplexity，astheypassedoutofthedoor。
　　"But，youknow，Iwasonly——"
　　"Oh，yes，weknow，"criedMissQuigg。"Butifthosemenwouldonlytakehold！Oh，thosemen！"SheturneduponNeilFraserandshookherheadathimviolently。
　　"Iknow，MissQuigg。Weareahopelessandhelplesslot。Butwe’regoingtoreform。"
　　"Youneedto，badly，"shesaid。"Butyouneedsomeonetoreformyou。LookatMr。Duffthere，howvastlyimprovedheis，"andshewavedherhandtothatgentleman，whowasdrivingawaywithhiswifeintheirbuckboard。
　　"Heisaperfectdear，"sighedMrs。Duff，asshebowedtotheminister。"Andyou，too，Stewart，"sheadded，givinghisarmalittlesqueeze，"yousaidjusttherightthingwhenthosehorridpeopleweregoingtoturnhimout。"
　　"Say！Yourpreacherisn’tsobadafterall，"saidherhusband。
　　"Wasn’tthataneatoneforoldHayes？"
　　"Herathergotyou，though，Stewart。"
　　"Yes，hedid，byJove！Notthefirsttime，either，he’sdoneit。
　　ButImustlookafterthat。Say，he’sthelimitforfreshnessthough。Orisitfreshness？I’mnotquitesure。"
　　"Willhestaywithus？"saidhiswife。"Ireallydohopehewill。"
　　"Guesshe’llstayallright。Hewon’tgiveuphisjob，"saidherhusband。
　　ButnextweekprovedMr。Duffapoorprophet，fortheministeraftertheserviceinformedhispeoplethathehadcometotheconclusionthatanothermanmightgetbetterresultsasministerofthecongregation；hehadthereforehandedinhisresignationtothePresbytery。
　　Itwasashocktothemall，butheadheredtohisresolutioninspiteoftearfullamentationsfromthewomen，wide—eyedamazementanddismayfromthebairnsofthecongregation，andindignation，loudlyexpressed，fromNeilFraserandStewartDuff，andothersoftheirkind。
　　"Well，"saidMissQuigg，strugglingwithindignanttears，asshewaspassingoutofthechurch，"youwon’tseeHarryHobbsinthischurchagain，norme，either。"
　　"Oh，yes，MissQuigg，Harryhaspromisedmethathewillstickbythechurch，andthathewillbethereeverySunday。Andsowillyou，dearMissQuigg。Iknowyou。Youwilldowhatisright。"
　　Butthatlittlelady，withherheadveryerectandaredspotburningineachfadedcheek，passedoutofthechurchsayingnothing，theplumesonherjauntylittlehatquiveringdefianceandwrathagainst"thosemen，whohadsolittlespunkastoallowalittlebeastlikeHayestorunthem。"
　　CHAPTERV
　　THEWARDRUMCALLS
　　"Well，dad，"saidBarrynexteveningastheyweresittinginthegardenaftertea，"IfeelsomethinglikeMohammed’scoffin，detachedfromearthbutnotyetascendedintoheaven。It’sunpleasanttobeoutofajob。IconfessIshallalwayscherishamoreintelligentsympathyhenceforthforthegreatunemployed。Butcheerup，dad！Youaretakingthisthingmuchtooseriously。Theworldiswide，andthereissomethingwaitingmethatIcandobetterthananyoneelse。"
　　Butthefatherhadlittletosay。Hefeltbitterlythehumiliationtowhichhissonhadbeensubjected。
　　Barryrefusedtoseethehumiliation。
　　"WhyshouldInotresignifIdecideitismydutysotodo？Andwhy，ontheotherhand，shouldnottheyhavetherighttoterminatemyengagementwiththemwhentheysodesire？That’sdemocraticgovernment。"
　　"ButgoodLord，Barry！"burstouthisfather，withquiteanunusualdisplayoffeeling；"tothinkthatagentlemanshouldholdhispositionatthewhimofsuchwhippersnappersasHayes，Boggsethocgenusomne。Andmorethanthat，thatIshouldhavetoacceptasmyministeramanwhowouldbethechoiceofcattlelikethat。"
　　"Afterall，dad，weareruledbymajoritiesinthisageandinthiscountry。Thatisatoncethegloryandthedangerofdemocraticgovernment。Thereisnobetterwaydiscoveredasyet。Andbesides，Icouldn’tgoonhere，dad，preachingSundayafterSundaytopeoplewhoIfeltwereallthetimesaying，’He’snogood’；topeople，inshort，whocouldnotprofitbymypreaching。"
　　"Becauseithadnopep，eh？"saidhisfatherwithbitterscorn。
　　"Doyouknow，dad，Ibelievethat’swhatiswrongwithmypreaching：ithasn’tgotpep。Whatpepis，onlytheinitiatedknow。Butthelongandtheshortofthisthingis，itisthepeoplethatmustbesatisfied。Itistheywhohavetostandyourpreaching，theywhopaythepiper。Butcheerup，dad，Ihavenofearforthefuture。"
　　"NorhaveI，myboy，nottheslightest。Ihopeyoudidnotthinkforamoment，myson，"headdedwithsomedignity，"thatIwasindoubtaboutyourfuture。"
　　"No，no，dad。Webothfeelalittlesorenaturally，butthefutureisallright。"
　　"True，mydearboy，true。Iwasforgettingmyself。Asyousay，theworldiswideandyourplaceiswaiting。"
　　"Hello！herecomesmyfriend，Mr。Duff，"saidBarryinalowvoice。
　　"HewasreadytothrowMr。McFettridgeoutofthemeetingyesterday，bodyandbones。Awfullyfunny，ifithadn’tbeeninchurch。Wonderwhathewants！Seemsinabitofahurry。"
　　Buthurryornot，itwasafullhourbeforeMr。Duffintroducedhisbusiness。Asheenteredthegardenhestoodgazingabouthiminamazedwonderanddelight，andthathourwasspentincompanywithMr。Dunbar，exploringthegarden，Barryfollowingbehindlostinamazementatthenewphaseofcharacterdisplayedbytheirvisitor。
　　"Ihavenothadsuchadelightfulevening，Mr。Dunbar，foryears，"
　　saidDuff，whentheyhadfinishedmakingtheroundofthegarden。
　　"Ihaveheardaboutyourgarden，butIhadnoideathatitheldsuchawealthandvarietyoftreasures。Ihadsomethingofagardenmyselfintheoldcountry，butherethereisnotimeapparentlyforanythingbutcattleandhorsesandmoney。ButifyouwouldallowmeIshouldgreatlyliketohavethepleasureofbringingMrs。Dufftoseeyourbeautifulgarden。"
　　Mr。DuffwasassuredthattheDunbarswouldhavethegreatestpleasureinreceivingMrs。Duff。
　　"Dobringher，"saidBarry，"andwecanhavealittlemusic，too。
　　Sheismusical，Iknow。Ihearhersinginchurch。"
　　"Music！Why，shelovesit。Butshedroppedhermusicwhenshecamehere；thereseemedtobenotime，notime，notime。Iwondersometimes——Well，Imustgetatmybusiness。Itisthisletterthatbringsme。ItisfromanAmericanwhomyouknow，atleast，heknowsyou，aMr。OsborneHowlandofPittsburgh。"
　　Mr。Dunbarnodded。
　　"HeisplanningabigtripupthePeaceRivercountryprospectingforoilandmines，andlaterhunting。Hesaysyouandyoursonengagedtoaccompanyhim，andheasksmetocompletearrangementswithyou。IamgettingJimKnighttolookaftertheoutfit。YouknowJim，perhaps。HerunstheLonePineranch。Finechapheis。
　　Knowsallaboutthehuntingbusiness。Takesapartyintothemountainseveryyear。He’lltakeTomFieldingwithhim。Idon’tknowFielding，butKnightdoes。Mr。Howlandsaystherewillbethreeoftheirparty。Fartoomany，butthat’shisbusiness。I
　　myselfamratheranxioustolookaftersomeoildeposits，andthiswillbeagoodchance。Whatdoyousay？"
　　Fatherandsonlookedateachother。
　　"Itwouldbefine，ifwecouldmanageit，"saidMr。Dunbar，"butmyworkissopressingjustnow。Agreatmanyarecomingin，andIamaloneintheofficeatpresent。Whendoesheproposetostart？"
　　"Insixweeks’time。Ihopeyoucancome，Mr。Dunbar。Icouldn’thavesaidsoyesterday，butIcannow。Anymanwithagardenlikethis，theproductofhisownplanningandworking，isworthknowing。SoIdohopeyoucanbothcome。Bytheway，Knightwantsacamphand，akindofroustabout，whocancook——ahandyman，youknow。"
　　"Ihavehim，"saidBarry。"HarryHobbs。"
　　"Hobbs？Boozesabit，doesn’the？"
　　"Notnow。Hasn’tforsixmonths。He’sanewman。Icanguaranteehim。"
　　"Youcan，eh？Well，myexperienceisonceaboozeralwaysaboozer。"
　　"Oh，"saidBarry，"Hobbsisdifferent。Heisamemberofourchurch，youknow。"
　　"No，Ididn’tknow。ButIdon’tknowthatthatmakesmuchdifferenceanyway，"saidDuffwithalaugh。"Idon’tmeantobeoffensive，"headded。
　　"ItdoestoHobbs，he’saChristianmannow。ImeanarealChristian，Mr。Duff。"
　　"Well，Isupposethereissuchathing。Infact，I’veknownoneortwo，but——well，ifyouguaranteehimI’lltakehim。"
　　"Iwillguaranteehim，"saidBarry。
　　"Letmehaveyouranswerto—morrow，"saidDuffashebadethemgood—night。
　　TheDunbarsdiscussedthematterfarintothenight。ItwasclearlyimpossibleforMr。Dunbartoleavehiswork，andtheonlyquestionwaswhetherornotBarryshouldmakeoneoftheparty。
　　Barrygreatlydislikedtheideaofleavinghisfatherduringthehotsummermonths，ashesaid，"toslaveawayathisdesk，andtoslopawayinhisbachelordiggings。"Heraisedmanyobjections，butoneconsiderationseemedtosettlethingsfortheDunbars。Tothemapromisewasapromise。
　　"IfIrememberaright，Barry，wepromisedthatweshouldjointheirpartyonthisexpedition。"
　　"Yes，"addedBarryquickly，"ifourworkpermittedit。"
　　"Exactly，"saidhisfather。"Myworkpreventsme，yourworkdoesnot。"
　　HenceitcamethatbytheendofAugustBarryfoundhimselfinthefarnorthernwildsofthePeaceRivercountry，ahundredmilesorsofromEdmonton，attachedtoaprospecting—huntingpartyofwhichMr。OsborneHowlandwasthenominalhead，butofwhichthe"boss"
　　wasundoubtedlyhishandsome，athleticandimpetuousdaughterPaula。Thepartyhadnotbeenonthetrailformorethanaweekbeforeeverymemberwasmovingathercommand，andapparentlygladtodoso。
　　Thepartywerecampedbyarushingriveratthefootofafalls。
　　Belowthefallstherivermadeawideeddy，thensweptdowninaturbulentrapidforsomemiles。Thelandingwasasmoothandshelvingrockthatpitchedsomewhatsteeplyintotheriver。
　　TheunfortunateHarry，whoaftertheday’smarchhadexchangedhisheavymarchingbootswiththeirclinginghobnailsforshoesmorecomfortablebutwithlessclingingqualities，inmakingpreparationfortheeveningmealmadehiswaydownthisshelvingrockofwater。
　　Nosoonerhadhefilledhispailthanhisfootslippedfromunderhim，andinaninstantthepailandhimselfwereintheswiftlyflowingriver。
　　Hiscrystartledthecamp。
　　"Hello！"shoutedDuff，withagreatlaugh。"Harryisinthedrink！
　　Ineverknewhewassofondofwaterasallthat。You’vegottoswimforitnow，oldboy。"
　　"Throwhimsomething，"saidKnight。
　　PastthemranBarry，throwingoffcoatandvest。
　　"Hecan’tswim，"hecried，tearingathisboots。"Throwhimaline，someone。"Herandowntothewater’sedge，plungedin，andswamtowardtheunfortunateHarry，who，splashingwildly，wasbeingcarriedrapidlyintotheroughwater。
　　"Oh，father，hewillbedrowned！"criedPaula，rushingtowardacanoewhichwasdrawnupontheshore。BeforeanyonecouldreachhershehadpusheditoutandwassteeringovertheboilingcurrentinBarry’swake。Butafterafewstrokesofherpaddleshefoundherselfdrivenfaroutintothecurrentandawayfromthestrugglingmen。Paulahadhadsufficientexperiencewithacanoetohandleitwithconsiderableeaseinsmoothwaterandunderordinaryconditions，butintheswirlofthisroughandswiftwaterthecanoetookthemanagementofitscourseoutofherhands，andshehadallshecoulddotokeepafloat。
　　"ForGod’ssake，men，gether！"criedBrand。"Shewillbedrownedbeforeoureyes。"
　　"Comeon，Tom，"criedJimKnight，swinginganothercanoeintothewater。Aglancehegaveatthegirl，anotheratthestrugglingmen，forbythistimeBarrycouldbeseenstrugglingwiththedrowningHobbs。
　　"Getin，Tom，"orderedKnight，takingthestern。"Wewillgetthemenfirst。Thegirlisallrightinthemeantime。"
　　"Getthegirl！"commandedBrand。"ForGod’ssakegoforthegirl，"
　　heentreatedinafrenzyofdistress。
　　"No，"saidKnight，"themenfirst。She’sallright。"
　　"Here，"saidDufftoBrand，pushingouttheremainingcanoe，"getintothebow，andstophowling。Thosemenareindangerofbeingdrowned，butKnightwillgetthem。We’llgoforthegirl。"
　　IttookbutafewminutesforKnightandFielding，whoknewtheircraftthoroughlyandhowtogetthebestoutofherinjustsuchanemergency，todrawupuponHarryandhisrescuer。
　　"Say，theyarefightinghard，"saidFielding。"ThatbloodylittlefoolischokingthelifeoutofDunbar。MyGod！theyareoutofsight！"
　　"Goon，"roaredKnight。"Keepyoureyesonthespot，andforHeaven’ssake，paddle！"
　　"Theyareupagain！Oneofthemis。It’sBarry。Theotherisgone。No，byJove！he’sgothim！Holdon，Barry，we’recoming，"
　　yelledTom。"Sticktoit，oldboy！"
　　Swiftlythecanoespedtowardthedrowningmen。
　　"Theyaregonethistimeforsure，"criedTom，asthecanoeshotoverthespotwherethemenhadlastbeenseen。
　　"Notmuch！"saidKnight，asreachingoutofthesternhegrippedBarrybythehair。"Holdhard，Barry，"hesaidquietly。"Nomonkeyworknoworyou’lldrownusall。"ImmediatelyBarryceasedstruggling。
　　"Don’ttrytogetin，Barry。We’llhavetotowyouashore。"
　　"Allright，Jim，"hesaidbetweenhissobbingbreaths。"Only——
　　hurryup——I’vegothim——here。"
　　Knightreacheddowncarefully，liftedBarrytillhishandtouchedthegunwaleofthecanoe。
　　"Nottoohard，Barry，"hesaid。"I’lleaseyouroundtothestern。
　　Steady，boy，steady。Don’tdumpus。"
　　"Allright——Jim——but——he’sunderthewater——here。"
　　"Oh，nevermindhim。We’llgethimallright。Canyouholdonnow？"saidKnight。
　　"Yes——Ithinkso。"
　　"Now，forGod’ssake，Tom，edgeherintotheshore。Seethatlittleeddythere？Swingintothat！You’lldoitallright。
　　Goodman！"
　　BythistimeKnightwasabletogetHarry’sheadabovewater。
　　Inafewminutestheyhadreachedtheshore，andwereworkinghardoverHarry’sunconsciousbody，leavingBarrylyingonthesandtorecoverhisstrength。AlongfightwasnecessarytobringthelifebackintoHarry，bywhichtimeBarrywassufficientlyrecoveredtositup。
　　"Staywhereyouare，Barry，untilwegetthismanbacktocamp，"
　　orderedKnight。"We’lllightabitofafireforyou。"
　　"I’mwarmenough，"saidBarry。
　　"Warmenough？Youmaybe，butyouwillbebetterwithafire，andyouliebesideittillwegetyou。Don’tmovenow。"
　　"There’stheothercanoescoming，"saidFielding。"They’llmakeshorealittlelowerdown。They’reallright。Say，she’shandlingthatcanoelikeaman！"
　　"Who？"saidBarry。
　　"Why，MissHowland，"saidFielding。"Shewasoutafteryoulikeashot。She’sapluckyone！"
　　Barrywasonhisfeetinaninstant，watchinganxiouslytheprogressofthecanoes，whichwerebeingslowlyedgedacrosstheriverinalonginclinetowardtheshore。
　　"They’llmakeit，allright，"saidKnight，afterobservingthemforatime。"Don’tyouworry。Justliedownbythefire。We’llbebackinajiffy。"
　　Inanhourtheywereallsafelybackincamp，andsufficientlyrecoveredtodiscoverthehumorouspointsintheepisode。ButtheywereallfamiliarenoughwiththetreacherouspossibilitiesofroughandrapidwatertoknowthatforHobbsandhisdelivereratleast，therehadbeensomeseriousmomentsduringtheirfiercestruggleintheriver。
　　"Anotherminutewouldhavedone，"saidFieldingtohisfriend，astheysatoverthefireaftersupper。
　　"Ahalfaminutewouldhavebeenjustasgood，"saidKnight。"I
　　gotBarrybythehairunderwater。Hewasathislastkick，youbet！Andthatrat，"headded，smilinggoodnaturedlyatHarry，"wasdragginghimdownforthelasttime。"
　　"Ididn’tknownothin’aboutit，"saidpoorHarry，whowaslyingstretchedoutbythefire，stillveryweakandmiserable。"I
　　didn’tknownothin’aboutit，oryoubetIwoudn’tha’doneit。I
　　didn’tknownothin’afterhegotme。"
　　"Afteryougothim，youmean，"saidFielding。
　　"Iguessthat’sright，"saidHarry，"butIwouldn’tha’gothimifhehadn’tha’gotmefirst。"
　　TheyalljoinedinthediscussionoftheeventexceptPaula，whosatdistraitandsilent，gazingintothefire，andBarry，wholay，drowsyandrelaxed，onablanketnotfarfromherside。
　　"Yououghttogotobed，"saidPaulaatlengthinalowvoicetohim。"Youneedagoodnight’ssleep。"
　　"I’mtootiredtosleep，"saidBarry。"Ifeelratherrotten，infact。Ioughttofeelverygrateful，butsomehowIjustfeelrotten。"
　　"Canonebegratefulandfeelrottenatthesametime？"saidPaula，makingtalk。
　　"Beholdme，"repliedBarry。"IknowIamgrateful，butIdofeelrotten。Idon’tthinkIhaveeventhankedyouforriskingyourlifeforme，"headded，turningtowardher。
　　"Riskingmylife？Nonsense！Ipaddled’roundinthecanoeforabit，tilltwostrongmencametotowmein，andwouldhave，ifI
　　hadallowedthem。Thanktheboys，whogotyouintime。"Sheshudderedasshespoke。
　　"Idothankthem，andIdofeelgratefultothem，"saidBarry。"Itwasratheranearthing。Yousee，Ilethimgripme。Ichokedhimoffmyarms，buthesliddowntomythigh，andIcouldnotkickhimoff。Hadtopracticallydrownhim。Eventhenhehungon。"
　　"Oh，don’tspeakaboutit，"shesaidwithashudder，coveringherfacewithherhands。"Itwastooawful，anditmighthavebeentheendofyou。"Hervoicebrokealittle。
　　"No，notanend，"answeredBarry，inaquietvoice。"Nottheendbyalongway，notbyaverylongway。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？Oh，youarethinkingofimmortality，andallthat，"saidPaula。"It’sachilly，ghostlysubject。Itmakesmeshiver。Igetlittlecomfortoutofit。"
　　"Ghostlyitis，ifyoumeanathingofspirits，"saidBarry，"butchilly！Whychilly？"Thenheaddedtohimselfinanundertone：
　　"Iwonder！Iwonder！IwishsometimesIknewmore。"
　　"Sometimes？"criedPaula。"Always！"sheaddedpassionately。"It’sadreadfulbusinesstome。Tobesuddenlysnatchedoutofthelightandthewarmth，awayfromthetouchofwarmfingersandthesightofdearfaces！Ah，Idreadit！Iloathethethoughtofit。
　　Ihateit！"
　　"Andyet，"musedBarry，"somehowIcannotforgetthatouttheresomewherethereisOne，kindly，genial，true，——likemydad。Howgoodhehasbeentome——mydad，Imean，andthatOther，too，hasbeengood。SomehowIthinkofthemtogether。Yes，IamgratefultoHim。"
　　"Oh，God，youmean，"saidPaula，alittleimpatiently。
　　"Yes，toGod。Hesavedmeto—day。’Saved，’Isay。Itisaqueerwaytospeak，afterall。WhatIreallyoughttosayisthatGodthoughtitbestthatIshouldcamp’roundhereforabitlongerbeforemovinginnearer。"
　　"Nearer？"
　　"Yes，intothenearercircle。Lifemoves’roundacentre，inouterandinnercircles。Thisistheoutercircle。Nearerinthere，itiskindlier，withbetterlightandclearervision。’Weshallknowevenasweareknown。’"Barrymusedon，asifcommuningwithhimself。
　　"Butwhenyoumovein，"saidPaula，andtherewasnomistakingtheearnestnessofhertone，"youbreaktouchwiththoseyoulovehere。"
　　"Idon’tknowaboutthat，"answeredBarryquickly。
　　"Oh，yesyoudo。Youareoutofallthis，——allthis，"shesweptherhandattheworldaroundher，"thisgoodoldworld，allyourjoyandhappiness，allyoulove。Oh，that’stheworstofit；yougiveupyourlove。Ihateit！"sheconcludedwithvehemencesuddenandfierce，assheshookherfisttowardsthestars。