 CHAPTER XXV Miss Mason, I'll tell you what you and I have not been doing. We have not been praying for this girl as we should. I have thought much about her because she seemed to me to be in special need of help, and in a general way I have made her a subject of prayer. But it seems to me at this moment that the words I had said over on my knees for her could not have been called prayer at all. Something like a sense of the worth of her soul has flashed upon me while I have been sitting here, and I am conscious-stricken. I don't believe really that I have ever prayed for anybody in such a way that God was pledged to answer, have you? I don't know what you mean, said Miss Mason, her face flushing. Of course I pray for people, all Christians do. I am sure I pray for myself. I kneeled down only last Sunday, just before I went out, and asked God to help me teach that Sunday's lesson, and I tried to teach it too. I don't think I ever tried harder, and I am sure I never had a meaner time. Miss Mason's hands were working nervously with the bit of embroidery that lay in her lap, her lips were quivering, and there was a suspicious look in her drooping eyes. The doctor watched her narrowly, and pitiful as was the admission about the hurried little prayer offered just as she was ready to go to her class, it gave him courage. He believed that even the little prayer was an advanced step. He believed that she was struggling with a sense of failure and a faint, fitful desire to do better. What if she were waking to something like a sense of responsibility? He lost the desire to throw Miss Mason overboard and fill her place more worthily. He lost even the desire to lecture her. He felt only an overpowering desire to fall on his knees just then and there, and pray for her as he knew he had not done before. My friend, he said, and the tones of his voice were so changed that she glanced at him wondering. I have a confession to make to you. I have not prayed for you as I ought. Not that I have not remembered all my fellow workers daily on my knees, but I have not felt for them as I should. I want you to kneel down with me now and help me ask God to forgive me, and let me take a new start in the service. They knelt down, Miss Mason, in a great maze. This was unlike any other experience of hers. It is safe to say that the experience of the next few minutes was unlike anything that she had ever imagined. She must have heard herself prayed for before, but this was different. She could not get away from the feeling that things ought to be different after that prayer, that her life at least ought to run in a new channel. She was weeping when they rose up, but even when Dr. Everett held out his hand to say goodbye, she did not believe that she would put into words the thought of her heart. Something in the clasp of his hand seemed to give her courage. I don't think I am a fit person for a Sabbath school teacher, she said speaking with difficulty. I have told you so before, but I mean it in a different way now. I ought to give up that class. I don't think I am a Christian at all. Half an hour before, Dr. Everett believed that to this he would have said, perhaps it would be as well for you to give up teaching for the present, but now he found that the last thing he desired of this trying teacher was to resign her class. He made haste to answer her in a spirit born of his prayer. Suppose you and I just dropped the past as something with which we have not wisdom to deal. Will you give yourself to Christ from this moment? Then if you are already his, you will only have renewed the consecration, and if you are not, he will accept you now as his own, will you? There was a struggle. Miss Mason had been a member of the church in good and regular standing for years, and it was only very lately that she had come to feel any dissatisfaction with that standing. Mason, of course, was at her elbow, that it was a strange thing for her to act just as though she were an irreligious person, but Miss Mason's heart was tired. The unrest within it had grown upon her. She was dissatisfied with all her efforts, as well as with her want of effort. She felt just then that she would give anything to be such a Christian as that prayer for her implied. She would give anything to be able to pray like that. Will you?" asked Dr. Everett again, and she spoke at least some of her thoughts aloud. I don't care how it looks. If I am a church member, I don't believe it means anything, and I want a religion that means something. Yes, I will. Will you kneel down with me now and tell him so? I can't pray," she said, and she was sobbing again, but she dropped on her knees, and when Dr. Everett had poured out his whole soul to God for her, she stammered forth the words, Oh God, take me and make of me such a Christian as I ought to be. She may have been mistaken, but years afterward she was in the habit of looking back to that sentence as the first real prayer she had ever offered. A singularly humble man was Dr. Everett as he made his way downtown a short time thereafter. The interview had not been in the least like what he had intended. He had gone to Miss Mason hoping it is true to do her good. At least he thought he hoped that. But in the clearer light in which he could now see his heart he realized that the strongest feeling concerning her had been indignation that she should fulfill her trust so badly, and his strongest hope had been to see his way clear towards removing her and filling her place with one more worthy. How wonderful it was that the moment he began to realize his own lack of faithfulness the Lord let him help her into the light. To some of the meditations in which he indulged during that homeward walk he gave expression as soon as he let himself into the hall and came face to face with his landlady. Mrs. Saunders, I have made a discovery to-night. Hereafter when I feel particularly tried with a person I shall know that I am myself at fault toward that person, and shall ask God for a special view of my own heart concerning it. Is that so? said Mrs. Saunders, stopping on the first stair, her pile of clean towels balanced on her arm, her face expressing surprise and concern. Does it always work that way? I've got a lodger this minute that I'm just completely out of all patience with. I'm sure I can't see how I'm to blame, but perhaps I am. The doctor went away smiling. It was a satisfaction to talk to Mrs. Saunders. A new idea presented to her was sure to receive careful consideration. He felt almost certain that her lodger would have occasion to thank him for dropping the seed thought. I suppose if anybody had told the two young men who were engaged in trying to avoid each other that their place of meeting would be the Packard Place Church they would have been equally astonished. There were others present who had reason to be astonished over the strangeness of the situation. It was just as Hester Mason was putting her counter in order, preparatory to taking her evening out, that young Parks presented himself, and after a few moments chat, came boldly to the point. Look here, I went to church last Sabbath you know, solely to please you. Now it is your turn. I want you to go somewhere to please me. I dare say you won't have to coax as hard as I had, Hester said with a frank laugh. I don't get so many chances to go anywhere that I am hard to persuade. What do you want? I want you to attend the Packard Place meeting with me. What kind of a meeting? I didn't know there was anything going on there tonight. Didn't you? Haven't you noticed that they always have a prayer meeting there on Wednesday evenings? Prayer meeting? Hester was so astonished that her voice was even louder than usual. There was a heightened color on Robert's cheeks. Several of the clerks were regarding them curiously. Well, I never, ejaculated Hester at last. You don't say you want to go to a weekday prayer meeting? Robert Parks, what has come over you? I'm getting anxious. I almost think I ought to send word to your mother. Will you go? said Robert, and he tried to keep his voice steady. He had gone about all day with a feeling that he must show his new colors to this girl as soon as possible, but she was making it very hard. Oh, go! she said. Why, of course, if it is for nothing but to take care of you. But I must say, Robert, and here to his intense relief she lowered her voice. I'm kind of disappointed in you. I like the frolic as well as the next one, but I wouldn't choose a prayer meeting or a church to have it in, and I haven't any mother to think about either. If I were you and had the kind of mother that you told me yours was, I wouldn't do such things. It is worse than going on Sunday trains, I think. I'm not going for any such purpose as you think, he answered hurriedly. I'll tell you all about it this evening. But he did not. They walked quite to the church door when the hour came, talking visibly about something else. Hester, at least, absorbed with a thought that had recently come to her, and it was not until they halted before the door that she remembered where they were going and held him back to say, Now you won't do anything mean tonight, will you? If there were no other reason, I wouldn't be caught in any scrape on that little joy Saunders's account. She always comes here to prayer meeting. I will try not to do anything mean, Robert said, and his face was pale. He began to realize how low he had fallen. But the person who was most startled by Robert Parks's appearance at prayer meeting was Austen Barrow's. He had gone thither confidently believing that there was one place in which he was sure of not meeting his old acquaintance. He came in just after Robert and Hester had seated themselves, and as on passing down the aisle he caught sight of them, he half halted, and his face actually paled with a feeling of dismay. What had brought Robert Parks to prayer meeting? How did he intend to conduct himself? For if the truth must be told, Robert Parks had fallen so low that he was not always noted for propriety of behavior in church, even on a Sabbath evening. CHAPTER 26 Several added links The influences which had drawn young Barrow's to the house of prayer thus early in his Christian life were easily traced. In the first place, though Robert Parks might have been astonished had anyone told him that such was the case, he really had greater moral courage than Robert. He was ready and willing, the momentous question having been decided once for all, to show his colors. Besides, his mother, when she bade him good-bye on Monday at daybreak, had said to him, Let me think of you as in prayer meeting on Wednesday evening, my son, I'll try to imagine what you will say, and I shall be the happiest mother there is in the world. After that it would have taken a good deal to have kept him away from the meeting. He had always loved his mother with a very tender love, and had astonished him not a little to see how much dearer she had grown under the spell of this new experience. He had given a good deal of thought to the part of his mother's sentence which indicated that she took it as a matter of course, that he would have something to say in the prayer meeting. It made his face burn to think of such a thing, yet it looked altogether reasonable, and he had almost decided that he would, when the time came, rise to his feet and make it known that he was now on the Lord's side. But he had not counted on the presence of Robert Parks. There were certain other things connected with that evening which were matters of surprise to the two young gentlemen who were unacquainted with prayer meetings. They both knew that a very large congregation was connected with the Packard Place Church, and that on Sabbath mornings the large house was well filled. The question which these two young men revolved in their ignorant minds was, what became of all these people on Wednesday evening? A large, elegant room, light and beautiful, and people enough gathered in it to have played two or three games of puss in the corner, and that was all. After fully taking in his surroundings, Robert Parks bestowed such a puzzled look on his companion that she laughed outright. As the meeting progressed, other developments bewildered the strangers. Deacon Jones, on being appealed to, offered a very long, well-arranged prayer. Then there was a pause until Mr. Smith responded to his invitation in much the same manner with an increase as to length, and then there was another pause. The minister had already prayed and read and spoken, and done what he could to infuse life into the dry bones by which he seemed to surround it. But long and solemn pauses marked the hour. Meantime Robert Parks was revolving an idea. How was he to get up in the midst of this ponderous, this awful meeting, and say the few trembling words that he had to offer? It seemed to him an impossibility. He had looked over at young Barrows and fancied him as turning the strange gathering to account among his friends. Barrows knew how to be both witty and sarcastic on occasion. How would he relish being included in a description such as he felt might be given? Mr. Mason, meantime, was troubled with no anxious thoughts, but found herself yawning behind her new kid gloves, and telling herself that of all the stupid places where she had ever been in her life, a prayer meeting was the most so. What could have possessed Robert to want to come? He certainly was not having any fun. The occasional glances toward him showed his face to be as solemn as the ministers. She half imagined that he was trying to punish her for coaxing him to church on the Sabbath. Then suddenly the Packard Place prayer meeting had a sensation. Joy Saunders had watched and waited and prayed, and grown red and white by turns in the intensity of her emotions. Here were two young men and a young woman, who, so far as she knew, had never been in a prayer meeting before. What would they think of it? Why had they come? Oh, if somebody would only say or do something! Had God sent these three to that place to be helped, were they being helped? Were Christians doing right to sit there in that dull way, letting the time run to waste, as though there were nothing to say for Christ? Joy Saunders belonged to a church which believed in women's sphere, and desired her to keep strictly within its limits, to give herself with what abandon she pleased to its fairs and festivals and theatricles, and what not, to circulate its subscription papers and be instant in season and out of season in planning for its secular interests, but on no account to let her voice be heard in its social religious meetings. Here too for had Joy, with views of her own, kept carefully within her supposed sphere, living up to the supposed views of St. Paul when he said that if women would learn anything they were to ask their husbands at home. Sometimes troubled it is true about that great company of women who had no husbands to ask, and often troubled about the so-called social meeting, because it appeared to her to be a very unsocial place. Yet in her wildest moments of longing after reform, it had never occurred to her that she could do so unusual a thing as to let her voice be heard in that particular prayer meeting. There had been prayer meetings in which she felt able to do it, but not in this church. If it were a teacher's meeting, she admitted to herself, the thing might be possible. No matter if the teacher's meetings were held in the same room, and with sometimes as many present as attended the prayer meeting, it was certainly very different. They all talked then. Yet, despite this pressure of circumstance and inclination, I have to record an astounding fact. Though eager was joy that the pause which she considered disgraceful should be broken, that she did actually break it herself. So filled was her heart with one Bible verse and the thoughts which had clustered around it, that it seemed almost as though some force outside of herself impelled her to speak the words. And he came and touched the beer, and they that bear him stood still, and he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise, and he that was dead sat up and began to speak. Before the last tremulous word had ceased vibrating on the air, Austin Barrow's was on his feet. I never before thought that I was a coward, he said, but that same one has spoken to me. He has said to me, Young man, Arise, he has brought me to life, and I had almost gone away from here tonight without owning it, though I came here for that purpose. I hope he will forgive me. Now that I am fairly on my feet, I want you to know that my determination is to serve him. Apparently, this was just the force that Robert Parks needed. Instantly he arose. Just a few broken words, yet have you any idea of how they thrilled through that audience? At the young man's left sat a silent pillar who had helped to support the church for twenty years, and yet whose voice had never been heard in the prayer meeting. While the thrill of the young new voices was still upon them, he arose. Brethren, he said, I am condemned. The voice of Christ spoke life to my soul many years ago, and I have never owned it in words before. It is the eleventh hour with me, but I want to be a witness for him. What a wonderful meeting that grew into! What was there about it that sent Mr. Katie's mind roving through his store intent on certain reforms which might be carried out there? What set Mr. Wheeler to thinking of certain men in his employ who ought to be in the prayer meeting, and determining that before another week his business should be so arranged that they could come if they would? If I should try to follow out all the trains of thought that were quickened into being by the quotation of that single Bible verse and the response to it by those two young men, you would be able to see that it reached farther and affected more lives and plans and futures than apparently had all the prayer meetings of the years gone by since the Packard Place Church had a being. The truth is that Joy Saunders had stepped very far out of her apparent sphere, further than she knew or than others dreamed. She had set in motion forces that are pulsing yet. More than that, the waves of her influence are widening and widening, and will continue to widen and deepen until they are lost in the ocean of eternity. She did not know it. What had she done? Nothing but repeat a simple verse from the last Sabbath's lesson, and her cheeks were crimson over the effort it had cost her. There were those who said it was rather queer in Joy Saunders. Did she think that there were not many enough to do that sort of thing? Could not the minister read all the Bible verses that were necessary? Nobody quite understood why the simple act should have had such an effect. Not even Joy remembered that she had used the sort of the spirit which the Lord had promised to honor. Well, said Austin Barrows, as Robert Parks crossed the aisle that separated them and the two clasped hands. And well, said Robert in the same breath. This effort seemed to exhaust their powers of expression. They wrung each other's hands after the manner of young men who could say a great deal if they could only get started. They looked into each other's astonished, beaming eyes and were silent. After a moment both laughed. I was never so amazed in my life, declared Barrows at last. You can't equal me in that, at least, answered Parks. In the first place I was so astonished to see you here at all that it took half the evening to rally from the effect. You must have a long story to tell me. Suppose I join you in half an hour from now. Then they shook hands again and for want of words they laughed again. They don't seem to feel very serious, Miss Hall said, overhearing only the laugh. I should think young men who had taken the position that they have tonight ought to have some other feeling than amusement. I shouldn't be a bit surprised if this were just one of their jokes and they didn't mean a word of it. But Joyce Saunders, who understood both young men much better than Miss Hall did and had no such fears concerning them, answered almost with a gleeful voice. I suppose, if the truth were known, they never had a better reason for laughing or for shouting than they have tonight. Said Miss Hall, you extreme people are very queer. Now you are one thing and in a moment another. I hardly ever understand you. CHAPTER 27 New Ground The morning was very bright and Robert Parks's spirits were attuned to its brightness. He moved about his room with a brisk step and hummed a strain from the hymn which had closed the prayer meeting the evening before. He felt himself to be taking a fresh start in life. The enthusiasm of the new experience was still upon him. He had stepped out from all his previous life and taken a firm stand on solid rock. Everything that had to do with him was changed with a change that would last forever. There was enthusiasm in the thought that he was to mingle with the world of people who must come to know the change in all his views and feelings. While he dressed, he mused upon this phase of the question, how should the news be communicated? I can't tell them in so many words, he said, at least not until the subject comes up in some way, and I don't see how it is to come up among the clerks in the store, for instance. They are not likely to hear news from the prayer meeting. Their world is miles away from that sort of life. It isn't as though I had been a drunkard or a gambler or a dishonest fellow, or indeed anything else that would be very marked to them. The truth is, I shall have to move in apparently the same track as before. There is really no way of letting people know where I stand. There were both comfort and discomfort in this thought. He could think of people to whom it would be very pleasant to say, I belong to the family now. That is, it would be pleasant if the subject could be brought forward naturally. Perhaps it would be after that prayer meeting. It had struck him curiously during the week that he had met Dr. Everett and Joyce Saunders and Mrs. Saunders many times, that they were all deeply interested in his welfare, and that not one of them knew of the great decision which had been made. Several times he had attempted to tell them, yet the subject had not, as he said, come in naturally. Of course, now that Joyce had heard his words in the prayer meeting, there would be opportunity to talk with her, and he thought it probable that she had already told Dr. Everett. It gave him much satisfaction to think that he would at once have a circle of Christian friends and belong to their world and become absorbed in their interests. I am not sure that he realized his intention to live in two worlds, that is, to gradually withdraw from the circle in which he had hitherto found his enjoyments, withdraw quietly without any apparent rupture, and leave them to themselves, mingling with them it is true during the day, but being not of them. He would have been disgusted had anyone told him that he shrank from explaining to the clerks in the store his change of base. He believed that he looked forward with satisfaction to the thought of their knowing it. So he did, but had he understood himself he would have seen that he wanted them to say of him, Parks has deserted us, he attends the first church prayer meetings, and takes part in them, they say he speaks every time, and he is going to lead the young men's meeting I have heard. He goes with an entirely different set, and has dropped nearly all of his old acquaintances. This he wished to have said gravely, with a little undertone sigh occasionally over his wiser and more favored lot. But I honestly think he did not know how entirely he shrank from saying to any of his old acquaintances, boys I have found something which satisfies me, and I want you to come with me and find it too. I believe he would have been utterly shocked to have discovered that he did not want them to go with him. At the breakfast table he found the subject under discussion to be a lecture that some of the boarders had heard the evening before delivered by a popular preacher. The theme had been elements of power in Daniel's character. The young men who were arguing as to the merits of the lecture were none of them Christians, nor were they theologically wise except in their own conceits, yet they criticized with unsparing tongues. Dr. Everett was not present, and Joy, who rarely appeared at the first table, sat a silent listener, showing only by an occasional flash of her eyes her dissent from some confidently made statement. Robert also was silent, although his newly opened eyes saw the fallacy of some of the criticism advanced against the truth. It would not be wise, he told himself, to be drawn thus early into argument on the opposite side with young men who had hitherto claimed him as one of their allies. But when the arguers were gone and there remained at his end of the table only Joy Saunders, he was ready to talk. If you had been delivering a lecture on Daniel, he said to her, would you have chosen the same point that Dr. Peyton did for the strongest one in his character? No, she said. The point was doubtless a grand one, but not the characteristic in Daniel that I most admire. I should have chosen his firmness of faith or pluck or whatever is the name to describe what I mean. The ability to stick to his principles, despite annoyances or danger. Well, but if I remember the story, King Darius exhibited as much of that quality as did Daniel. See how he stuck to his promise about the den of lions. Joy raised a pair of gray eyes to the young man's face for a moment, apparently to see how much of this was ignorance and how much was mere talk, and then answered quietly, Don't you think the difference between them is very easy to define? Both kept their word it is true, and in doing so the one showed splendid firmness, and the other the smallest kind of weakness. The man of all others, the most worthy of contempt, seems to me to be the man who has not moral courage enough to break a promise after he has discovered it to be a bad one. Isn't that a pretty severe way of putting it? Robert asked, but he smiled indifferently. He said nothing personal in the words, and gave but little heed to the argument. At almost the first mention of Daniel, his thoughts had gone off into a daydream, which ran somewhat on this wise. Suppose I had lived in those days when lion's dens and fiery furnaces and all such things were in vogue, what splendid opportunities were afforded for the exercise of Christian courage and true manliness. In these times it doesn't require any courage to be a Christian. He did not say this aloud. He was dimly conscious that Joy Saunders had certain peculiar ideas and that she would be very likely to combat this thought of his. Neither did he say that he almost wished for a return of those days of splendid martyrdom. But as he bade Joy good morning and then walked away to the scene of his daily labors, he was conscious of a feeling of semi-contempt for the tame life which he was called to lead and a vague wish that his lot in life lay where he could show this young woman and all others how strong and brave he was. Ten steps from the door of his boarding-house came an opportunity to show his colors. He met one of the clerks in the store, a young man who had a more responsible position and a better salary than himself. Just the fellow I've been looking for, he said with a cordial bow and smile, I am making up a select party for this evening. My sister Jenny is in town stopping with a friend and we thought it would be pleasant to go around to the Day Street Theatre together. Wilson and Brooks will go with their ladies. We need just one more to make our number complete and the moment your name was mentioned you were unanimously chosen. The first you must know was very delicate flattery, for the young men mentioned were all older than he and had generally chosen to move in a select circle of which he was not one. A few days ago he would have considered himself honored by such an invitation and would have accepted unhesitatingly. Why should he blush and stammer now? The fact is there suddenly confronted him certain keen sarcasms which he had been want to fling at theatre-going Christians, he having been one of those quick-witted young men of whom every town and city had its share, who knew perfectly well what a Christian's duty was and unsparingly leveled his shafts of wit at the inconsistent. It seemed strange that a theatre should be almost the first thing to confront his new life, stranger still that an invitation should come from those whom it was so embarrassing to refuse. Had it been one of his own set, the young men fancied he should have enjoyed declining and explaining his reasons therefore. The moment he thought of this he found himself asking confusedly what his reasons really were. He was not exceedingly fond of the theatre, yet it had afforded amusement which had consumed a good deal of his leisure time and much money that he could ill-spare. Now here was the question confronting him as to what position he should occupy towards theatres in the future. Was it to be presumed that, in order to be consistent, he must ignore them, or was that idea a narrow-minded relic caught from his country mother? Yet that was hardly the question, either, for Dr. Everett and Joyce Saunders were neither of them from the country. He could not recall hearing either of them ever mention the theatre, yet he found that he knew their opinions quite as well as though he had heard an exhaustive discussion carried on by them. Still, this did not give him arguments. How would it sound to say to this young man who waited with a show of courtesy, yet with an amused and curious face, the truth is I have become a Christian, and I can't attend the theatre hereafter? Suppose the gentleman should arch his handsome eyebrows and ask, why not? And he should have to reply, I don't know, only I know it isn't consistent. He would take me for a fool, muttered Robert, whereupon he began to feel conscious that perhaps he was being taken for that undesirable character at this moment. The street was certainly not the place in which to decide such questions. Of one thing he was certain, he had not the slightest desire to spend this coming evening in a theatre. Such a disposal of himself would not in the least accord with his new feelings and intentions. Why could not he have promptly declined the invitation on the plea of having other plans, and so have avoided such an embarrassing exhibition of himself? Exceedingly vexed with his own blundering, he still stood in doubt how to retreat. Well, said the waiting gentleman at last with a laugh that jarred, my dear fellow, what is the trouble? You look as though I had asked you to take a partner for life, and you were trying to decide whether you could possibly endure her for better or worse. It is only for one evening, man, and I assure you she is a very charming young lady. I am sorry that I cannot go this evening, Robert said, speaking hastily, wishing he could keep his face from flushing and wondering whether what he was saying was strictly true. It is quite impossible. You will have to excuse me. Oh, certainly, the other replied, I would not wish to urge you. We only thought it might be pleasant. I believe I'll invite your friend, Mr. Hastings, in your place. What there was in this last suggestion to add to Robert Parks's annoyance he could hardly have told, unless it lay in the fact that Mr. Hastings was no friend of his and had been his rival in the store on several occasions. If Mr. Hastings should hear of his refusal and the manner of it, it would afford him material for amusement. Greatly vexed with himself and unaccountably irritated with the gentleman who had apparently tried to be so courteous, he moved on as rapidly as possible his opportunity for witnessing allegiance to his new master having passed and only this accomplished. The young man looked after him with a half-amused, half-bewildered expression and said to himself, What has happened to the fellow? I used to think he was genial and gentlemanly in the extreme. Pluck, said Robert Parks, recalling Joyce Saunders's word, which had perhaps made the more impression because she rarely used words of its class. She wouldn't have thought I was showing much. Fact is, I don't suppose I am ready for that den of lions yet. But what was I to say? This is no place for an argument. If it had been, I don't know how to argue the question. I certainly don't believe I shall continue to go to the theatre. I don't believe a Christian has any business there. Yet I haven't a single reason why that is expressible. Lovely education that. What have I been sneering at in others, I wonder? I wish I had asked some of the boys whom I have heard make merry over the sins of others their reasons for thinking they were sins. It seems that I haven't even been sincere with my sneers. For now I don't know what they were about. I'll look into this thing. Dr. Everett and men of his stamp have reasons for their opinions and know how to give them. I'll find out. So I think, after all, that Satan outwitted himself that morning. When an intelligent and right-intentioned young man resolves to find out any question, he is quite apt to succeed. At the corner he encountered Hester Mason. Her route for a time lay in his direction. He was not averse to joining her. She might belong to the class of people whom he meant gradually to drop, but in the meantime she was very bright and pleasant, and looked well in her new suit. It had been carefully selected with an eye to harmony, and the effect was good. Busy with the topic that had been suggested to him, the young man gave voice to his thoughts by a question. You are the very one to ask. I want to know why you lavish so much ridicule on your friend Miss Mason when she attends a theatre. What line of reasoning proves to you that she has no business there? Here bestowed a half-amused, half-curious, and wholly searching glance on the questioner before she spoke. Are you trying already to hunt up an excuse for going to the theatre tonight? How quick-witted she was! Should he be amused or vexed? No, he said, I am trying to put into words some good reasons why I don't intend to go. I am glad of it. I sort of want to believe in you, Rob, and if you were ready for a theatre tonight, I know I should think you a humbug and nothing else. That is just the point. Why would I be? What reason have you for saying so and thinking so? There must be reasons you see, and you must know them, else you're a humbug. Hester laughed. This was bringing her to bay in a manner in which she was unaccustomed. She looked a trifle puzzled. You ought not to expect me to argue, she said. I am not a Christian. It is as much as I can do to sneer at those who pretend to be. But I say you have no right to sneer unless you know good reasons why theatre-goers are inconsistent. Well, I do. I can think of a dozen. Whether I can tell them off or not is another question. If what you said in meeting last night is true, then you ought to be so much interested in other things that you would have no time to spend at the theatre. That's one reason. It isn't a good one. That is, it may be very good for me, because I understand what you mean, and just now, at least, I feel that I have neither time nor inclination. But it would not do to advance as a general argument. It reaches too far. For instance, I might take a walk with you or a ride, which would take as much time and have as little Christian work about it as to go to the theatre. Yet you would think it all right to take a ride with me and would sneer at me for inviting you to the theatre. Hester laughed. It is too funny for you to make me argue on that side of the question, she said gaily. I tell you I belong to the other. However, I can do it. You might possibly take a ride out in the country to rest your body and mine. I'm sure mine needs resting. And you might be able to get home at a respectable hour instead of being so late that you would feel like a sleepy idiot all the next day. That is the way I feel when I go to the theatre. And you might, mind I don't say you would, but then it is just possible that you might say something improving to me while we rode along, something that would be a help to me afterwards. Isn't your imagination equal to such a stretch as that? I only used your name and mine for illustration, because you did, you know. She was certainly very quick-witted. Robert could not wish helping that he could say something to help her. Yes, he said thoughtfully, there is truth in that. The theatre is not specially restful to one who has been at work all day. But after all, how does that prove that Miss Mason's occasional attendance is inconsistent? Seems to me you are very anxious about Miss Mason. I don't care whether she is inconsistent or not, but I know she can't make me believe that her religion is worth much if she has to brace it up by theatre going. Rob, do you remember that play last winter that made fun of a young fellow who was a Christian and was trying to do right? It just made him appear like a fool. Do you suppose if some of the boys in the Sunday school had heard it, they would have been more anxious to try to live up to their principles? Can't you think of two or three weak mortals? We won't say you and me this time, because we are both proof against all sorts of temptation. But don't you know some who would have been hindered by that very thing? Very gravely Robert admitted that he did. Well then, triumphantly, what right has a church member to go to such a place? More than that, how many times did that creature swear in the third scene that same night? I shouldn't think that a church member would like to go for amusement where that sort of thing was going on. Why I could get up a whole sermon on this question. I believe I'd like to do it. I'll tell you something, it makes such a splendid illustration. One day Miss Mason took it into her head to give me some advice. She did it in a really nice way, said she was my Sabbath school teacher, and took an interest in me and all that trash you know. It isn't true, not a word of it, but she thinks it is, and so I respect her for it a little. While she said I talked too loud on the street, it made her blush sometimes to hear my voice, that people noticed it, and it wasn't the thing for a girl to do, wasn't considered respectable, you know. I didn't get mad at her because I honestly think she wanted to help me a little, and she wanted to help herself, too. She did not like to have me speak to her so loud when I met her. I told her I was much obliged, and that I would try to remember it the next time I saw her. And then I said I would appreciate her feelings, for when she and I were at the play the other night, some of the scenes were so coarse, and in short, so far from being what I call respectable, that it made me blush like a peony. You ought to have seen her cheeks, then. Peonies were nothing to them. She hasn't said a word to me about loud talking sins, and I don't believe she ever will. But then I don't bear her any ill will. In fact, I'm glad she told me. I've noticed sins that I talked louder than other people on the street and in the cars, and I've about stopped it. I feel as ladylike again. But I'll tell you one person whom I hope never to see at a theater, and that is little Joy Saunders. I would as soon see a white lily shut up in a coal bin. There was the most curious mixture of daring fun and intense earnestness about this girl. Robert did not know whether to laugh or be shocked and startled. The reference to Joy opened his mouth. I don't suppose you will ever see her, he said quickly. As you say, the two do not match. However, there are theaters and theaters, you know. Some are far less objectionable than others. Of course, and there are gamblers and gamblers, I suppose, and loafers and loafers. In fact, there are degrees of everything, of refinement, for instance. And I suppose I am sixth-rate or so myself. I ought not to be expected to be more than that, considering my opportunities. But last night, after you left me, I went to as fine a theater as there is, I suppose. And I, with my sixth-rate, had to blush two or three times. If I had been first class myself, what would have become of me? That is why I say I don't see how the first class people can like the position. Robert winced visibly. Don't talk so, he said earnestly. Why should you speak of yourself as if you were not equal to any? Because I'm not. She was serious now in fierce. Don't you suppose I know that even you consider it condescension to have anything to do with me? You believe you have stepped down out of your sphere, and you are thinking now, among other new leaves that you mean to turn over, of cutting me and getting into respectable society. I am not, he said hotly, and it flashed over him just then, rather took hold of him as a conviction that if such had been his intention it should be so no more. I consider you my friend. I believe you capable of being much more than you are. I want to help you in any way that I can. I want you to come to Christ and be saved. He can lift you to any place in which he chooses to have you. I believe he has given you brains to use for him. You have helped me this morning. You have made me see things that I did not see before. I am in earnest and I want to be. All the flash in the fire had gone out of her face and also out of her voice. My father is a miserable drunkard. He spoke the words low, so low that he could hardly catch them, her lip quivering the while. That is your misfortune, he said quickly, not your blame. You have had a great many misfortunes, I know. You have not had many advantages, for instance, and I have not helped you since I knew you. I have not thought of doing so, but now I want to. I would like to be your friend, and I would like to see you take a stand for Christ. I am sure he has work for you to do, Hester. Perhaps it may be to save your father. Such things have been. He never forgot the look in her eyes as she turned them toward him, shining with tears. They had reached the corner where their paths separated. Whatever I may be, she said, still speaking low. I believe in you. I was not sure that I did. Now I am. Thank you. I shall think better of the world all day because of this. Goodbye. End of Chapter 28. Recording by Tricia G. Chapter 29 of Workers Together. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Workers Together or an Endless Chain by Pansy. Chapter 29. A Modern Den of Lions. It was not the sort of talk that he had intended to have with her. Little had been said about theatres. Yad Robert, as he reverted to the subject, said within himself that he would look it up carefully some time to be exhaustively prepared. But after all, a man's duty was plain enough. Had he met Hester Mason before he did Mr. Herbert, he would have declined his invitation in a different manner. He could not help smiling to think that the girl's flashes of logic had done his arguing for him. She is clear-headed, he said to himself for the third time that morning. She ought to have opportunities. I wonder what Miss Joy could do for her. Then he went to his counter, strongly fortified for the temptations of the day, as though Satan had a hand in the management of nothing but theatres. 10 o'clock brought a meek-faced searcher after narrow laces. He courteously displayed his variety to her with skillful arrangement as to patterns and qualities. The meek-faced woman studied them carefully, critically, and then asked her timid question. Are these real? Real lace of those wits for a shilling a yard. The question was one that had constantly to be answered, and the temptation had proved too much for some of the clerks. Again and again had Robert Glibbli replied, oh yes, certainly, exchanging meantime surreptitious winks with some unemployed looker on. Since any shopper was so ignorant as to expect real things at such prices, why should not they have their fun out of it? Real cotton, I meant, of course, had Robert Glibbli explained to a fellow clerk the next time he had occasion to answer the question, and the witticism had been received with such favor and been repeated and laughed over so much that Robert Parks had really begun to consider it rather brilliant. It was not a falsehood. Of course, he could never stoop to that. There are people older than he who have soothed their consciences by equally silly subterfuges. Here was the old question confronting him, but it found him changed toward it. That subtle change invisible to human eye, whatever it was, however produced, met him even at this point and made him see that his silly witticism shrouded a weak lie. The presence of God's spirit enlightens the mind even about so-called trivial subjects. He hesitated just a moment. His face flushed slightly. It was curious that just then he should think of Daniel. This certainly was not a den of lions, and yet he was a little humiliated to discover that it required pluck. Business was not brisk at this early hour. Two idle clerks leaned on their respective counters regarding him with an amused air, wondering what was up. No, he said boldly at last. They are considered a good imitation, but they are not real, of course, at that price. We have real laces, but they are more than double the price of these. Shall I show you some? No, the lady answered and thanked him, then fingered the imitation laces with a thoughtful air for a few moments and moved away. Amused voices greeted Robert. There, my man, you've done it now. You've gone and lost a customer. She would have taken a dozen yards or so, and she can get real laces in all the stores for that price. You know she can. She will come back tomorrow and tell you so. Parks, what's the matter? Did you have bad dreams last night? Think you are going to die or anything of that sort? Still a third boy's chiming in. I say, Parks, has that solemn-faced Dr. Everett been telling you stories about the little boy with his hatchet who couldn't tell a lie? Didn't you ever hear of him before? You mustn't be so overcome by his example. He's played out. He wasn't a dry goods merchant, you see, or he would have learned in less than a week that he could. What was the annoyed young man to say? He was excessively annoyed. It vexed him to think that he could not take this silly banter good-naturedly that his cheeks would glow under it. Here was an opportunity to state his change of base. Why didn't he do it? It wasn't exactly a lack of moral courage that held him back. It was a doubt as to how best to put what he wanted to say. Would they understand him? How much should he try to tell them? What was the use of teasing her? He said at last. She really did not know but that they were real and she doesn't know but that she ought to get the real thing at such prices. I didn't want to cheat her. I've done it, I know, but I don't intend to after this. If Mr. Katie should hear of our management with those people, we should hear from him, I imagine. This was not a very bold avowal. Any right-minded young man without a shred of Christian principle to sustain him might be supposed to have as much honor as this. Robert was simply astonished over the amount of courage that it had taken to speak those words. Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. It would have been so easy for him to have taken such a stand when he first entered the store. Good boy, said Fred Briggs, he shall have a stick of red and white candy and two nuts as soon as ever I get a chance to step out for them. Certainly there was nothing particularly brilliant in that reply, yet the clerks within hearing greeted it with bursts of laughter and Robert's face flushed to the roots of his hair. Talk about a den of lions, he muttered. I would rather be in one, I believe. Which was all very well so long as he was sure there were none waiting for him. The day which had begun so brightly was in many respects a trying one. The spirit of fun or of recklessness seemed to have taken possession of the clerks in Robert's immediate neighborhood. In the course of the day, it became apparent that some rumor in regard to the prayer meeting of the evening before was in circulation. He found notices pinned to his counter, announcing religious services to be conducted by the reverent Robert Parks. One, caricatured with bold headlines, announced a sermon on the sin of lying to be delivered by the once notorious but now famous Robert Parks. In short, there seemed no end to the silly schemes which four clerks devised to render his life disagreeable. Yet they did nothing that was worthy of complaint. At least, I mean nothing that Robert cared to bring to the notice of his chief. Under ordinary circumstances, he would have laughed with them over some of their sallies, but he was continually haunted by a humiliating sense of having failed to stand up squarely for his new principles. Had he boldly avowed his determination, henceforth, to shape all his actions to one pattern, very much of this annoyance might have been avoided. Evidently, he was no Daniel. He began to have a realizing sense of this truth. Viewed in that light, the experience was helpful, for if there was one person whom this young man needed to understand better than he did, it was Robert Parks. Toward the close of the afternoon, just as he was recalling with a sense of relief, the fact that his services would not be required during the evening, there came a fresh embarrassment. A party planned for long before must need perfect its arrangements for that very evening. A ride to Belden's Woods, a supper, a dance, and much that the gay party denominated fun were in prospect. The ringleader looked in on Robert just to inform him that all arrangements were complete. Not to invite him to join them, this was accepted as a matter of course. Had he not been prominent in arranging the program when the plan was first proposed? In the midst of his embarrassment, he realized with a little thrill of satisfaction that there was certainly a change in his feelings. How utterly distasteful the whole affair looked to him now. Matters are all in train, the caller said with a complacent air. There has been a little trouble about securing horses, but we have succeeded. You will have to notify your lady, you know. Sorry to be so late, but we will not need to start for two hours yet. He hurried these sentences without chance for interruption and was turning in haste to depart. Wait, said Robert, his voice having a sharp, annoyed sound. Wait a moment, can't you? And then he paused. What was he to say, how explain, after all the vaccinations of the day and with those exasperating clerks still watching him with their silly smiles and winks? Still, it seemed clear to him that he would not go to Belden's Woods. A moonlight ride and a merry dance and plenty of gay company had been pleasant enough amusements to him in the past, but today they offered no temptation beyond the fact that his word was pledged and he did not see his way clear to decline. The man who seems to me the most worthy of contempt is the one who has not sufficient moral courage to break a promise after he discovers that it ought never to have been made. Something like this Joy Saunders had said. He had not known that he remembered her words but they flashed before him now as though they had been photographed. The fact is I can't go. He spoke abruptly, confusedly, not helped by Fred Briggs's laugh sounding in his ears. The words were spoken but they seemed weak ones to him and he did not feel brave at all. Can't, why not? We made sure that you were not detailed here for service before we perfected our plans. I was in this morning before you came down and Mr. Wheeler told me your department would close at six. Then did that brave young man wish heartily that he could have replied that different arrangements had been made and he must remain at the store. How should he explain if Fred Briggs would only move away and attend to his own affairs? The next question was worse. When can you go then? We depended on you. In fact you were the one who suggested the plan if you remember. I suppose we could wait an hour later if that would help you. Oh no, said this much tried young man. I shouldn't want you to do that. The truth is I don't think I can go at all. I have made other arrangements that interfere. Do they interfere for life? The tone was not one of astonishment simply but of ill-concealed sarcasm. The question and the blank look on Robert's face were too much for Fred Briggs. He bent himself over his desk, apparently overjoyed and convulsed with laughter. The poor person is in a fearful mix, he said and allowed undertone to the equally amused clerk at his side. Clear the counter, let's hoist him up here and give him a chance to explain. End of Chapter 29 Recording by Tricia G. Chapter 30 of Workers Together. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Workers Together or an Endless Chain by Pansy. Chapter 30, Workers Together. But the question, do they interfere for life, came with a sudden suggestion of strength to the sorely tried young man. He held his head erect and a look born of something outside personal pride came into his face. Yes, he said steadily, they do interfere for life. Everything has changed with me, I hope and believe. I cannot at any time take the ride that we had planned. At a more suitable time and place, I shall be glad to give you my reasons. He was frank and dignified at last and began to recover a feeling of self-respect. But do you suppose that Satan meant to let him slip away from one of his toils so easily? The collar still tearied and angry flush rising on his face. Well, he said with peculiar emphasis, isn't that rather a strange way for a gentleman to keep his engagements. The thing was largely of your own planning and you invited your lady at the same time the rest of us did. I should think she deserved some consideration. Perhaps you have forgotten that some of us thought the expense of the trip was an objection and that you promised to meet a large share of it. As to expense, said Robert, still speaking with dignity, I must keep that part of the engagement. You need not fear any increase because I withdraw from the party. And as regards the lady whom I invited, I will, of course, make the necessary explanations. That part at least is my affair. He was alone at last and out on the crowded streets, but how utterly discouraged not to say angry he felt, angry with himself, angry with the clerks in the store, angry most of all with the chains of past engagements with which he seemed to have fettered his new life. Here was another explanation to make. Six weeks before when the ride to Belden's Woods had been gaily planned on the way home from an evening's entertainment, it looked like a very fascinating thing. He hated it now, but it was by no means likely that Hester did. She was in all respects what she had been on that evening. Her pleasures were not many, her rides were few, and she was fond of dancing, as is any other girl who has come up in the loose way that poor Hester had, without mother or tender Christian friend, to wisely shield and guide her. What was Robert Parks to say to her in explanation of the fact that he had just now refused to fulfill an engagement in which she had been included? He studied over it gloomily. His sore spirit shrank from any more merriment at his expense, and this he could not but feel afforded a good opportunity for the sarcastic and not too thoughtful Hester. Moreover, she was loud voiced. Must the tongues of other clerks be set wagging at his expense? Yet he must see her at once. She had doubtless heard of the ride already. At that instant he remembered with a groan that the young woman whose counter was just below hers was one of the party. Business was in full tide at the less fashionable store, the class of customers who crowded there, not being trampled by fashionable hours for shopping. He had to wait while Hester showed her different shades of school silk and tried to match unmatchable goods. She looked bright and pretty. She was good-natured and accommodating. Her customers did not hasten. She recognized Robert's presence by a gay little nod but gave undivided attention to the ladies until she had satisfied them and then turned to him. Blue, green, or brown shades, she said with a business-like air and a sparkle in her eyes. Blue, I think, he answered gravely and then plunged it once into the depths of his subject. At least there should be no vacillating here. Hester, that long-deferred ride to Belden's Woods is to come off this evening. I know it, Kate has been getting ready in imagination all the afternoon. I've given her seven different bits of advice as to her ribbons and things. Hester, I cannot go on that ride. Of course not, I told Kate I was not going. Indeed, I told Dick Howell this morning that I should be obliged to forego the pleasure supposed to be in store. Rob, did you think that I thought you would go? I told you this morning that I believed in you and I really do. I hope you haven't been sighing over your promise to me. I made it all right with the boys. They think I have grown good or proud or something and don't want to go. I kept my own counsel, of course. It's all right. Her words had been low and rapid. Other shoppers came, more silk was wanted and braid and buttons. She dismissed him with another little nod and smile. He had not a chance to say another word, even to thank her for her evident careful shielding of his name from the gossip of the store. It is strange, he said to himself as he walked down the street again in a different frame of mind. It is strange that that girl should be the one to help me twice today. Whoa, said a firm voice just above his head and Dr. Everett's horses were rained in across his pathway. You would as soon ride the rest of the way as walk, I presume? The doctor said in a tone half of inquiry, half of authority. Robert's answer was to obey the signal of command and spring to a seat at his side. Then the doctor, driving on rapidly, according to a fashion of his, took up his former line of thought very much as he would have done had it been a conversation between the two interrupted for a moment. Did it ever occur to you to notice what the men did to whom the story of redemption was first told? Robert hesitated, I am not sure that I am even acquainted with the men, he said. You will remember that my knowledge of Bible history is limited. Ah, but you know them, the shepherds to whom the angels came down with the news of the Savior born. I certainly remember that. No, I don't know just what they did. The Bible doesn't tell, does it? I remember nothing about them beyond the fact that they were watching the sheep and were honored with the tidings. Then you didn't read their biography carefully. Their whole afterlife is foreshadowed. Briefly it is true, but enough is told to show what manner of men they were. I have been struck with the progressive nature of their story. I didn't know they had a story, declared Robert frankly. What was it? Why, directly they heard the news, they started in search of the Savior. Doesn't that show you at once the stamp of men they were? In these days it takes some men half a lifetime to decide to start toward him, though they are as well aware of his existence as they are of their own. That is true, Robert said thoughtfully, remembering that it had taken him several years to decide the question. Doesn't your present knowledge of the persons in question aid you in giving the next link in their history? This was asked tenderly with a significant tone and a penetrative look. Robert flashed back instant sympathy as one who understood and appreciated. They found him, he said briefly. I, they found him. No other result than that has ever been when he was honestly sought. I have not had opportunity to congratulate you on the personal experience of it until now. You can judge somewhat of my joy over the news which I heard last night from the prayer meeting. As he spoke his disengaged hands sought Robert's and the two met in a hearty grasp. Token of brotherhood, the doctor said smiling, then immediately, do you know what they did next? They made known abroad the blessed experience which had come to them. The tone was significant again, but Robert had no other reply than that shown by a furtive glance at the doctor's quiet face. Then the two rode on in silence. Well, the doctor said at last. Well, repeated Robert, then he laughed. I know what you mean doctor, but aren't the times different? For one thing, we don't have the opportunities in these days that the shepherds had. At least I don't. Have you had no opportunity today, for instance? How was a young man who had been through a day like Robert's to answer this question with anything but silence? As he glanced hurriedly back over the day, it appeared before him like a succession of opportunities. There was the breakfast table conversation where he had chosen to keep silence. There was the invitation which met him almost at the door. There were the clerks, not one of them Christians. He had jostled against them all day. He had chatted with numberless cash boys. He had been for five minutes alone with the little Riley, who was prepared to believe anything he told him. And the most he had done was to try to be merry with the boy. It was not possible to say that he had had no opportunity. But the doctor waited for his answer and the young man could not help feeling a trifle annoyed that he had none ready. Do you really mean, he asked at last, that a Christian ought to be talking a religion all the time, forcing it on the attention whether there seems to be a fitting occasion or not? The doctor had so manifestly said nothing of the kind that he did not seem to think it required an answer, but said, do you really mean that had you received yesterday an inheritance valued at 20,000 pounds, you would have been likely to let 24 hours go by without mentioning it to somebody? That is different, Robert said quickly. Yes, that is different. For in that case, you alone would be concerned. And in the case of which we are speaking, there is an opportunity for each of our acquaintances to secure an equal inheritance. And do you know the steps they ought to take and that there is danger of their losing it? I should say there was an immense difference. After that, for a little, absolute silence fell between them. Dr. Everett was too wise a worker to hover around his seed after he had dropped it to grow. He presently began a conversation on indifferent matters, and it was not until he neared the boarding house that he referred to the young men's prayer meeting and asked Robert to attend. The acceptance of that invitation was prompt and cordial. It struck Robert most pleasantly that at last he had received an invitation which was in harmony with the new spirit which he felt possessed him. He resolved to take a stand at that prayer meeting which should be no wit behind that taken by the shepherds. He would show Dr. Everett that he was thoroughly in earnest and when a proper occasion offered was ready as a witness. That was a very pleasant supper table around which the family presently gathered. I suppose there are higher spheres in life as we are in the habit of using language, but perhaps after all it might be difficult to find a more useful one than that which Mrs. Saunders occupied. She was really engaged in trying to make a safe, pleasant home for young men who were, most of them, far away from home and mother. Ostensibly she kept a boarding house for the purpose of supporting herself and her daughter, but this was only the surface. It was the consecration of it, the almost endless opportunities that she saw in it that dignified, yes, and glorified the labor. Without that aim a woman like Mrs. Saunders could not have been contented with the outward circumstances of her life. She was really a woman of capabilities. She would have felt all cramped and soured and grown waspish and miserable. As it was she magnified her office and rejoiced in her opportunities. She had felt this more and more since she had come to know Dr. Everett intimately and recognized in him one who had consecrated talent of no small order to the same master and who actually worked in the same channels with herself. When she neatly mended the frayed shirt of some gay young fellow, it gave her thrills of joy to realize that she was reaching after the same result as the man who linked his arm in the young fellows and carried him off captive to the prayer meeting. It is possible to work in this way. Mrs. Saunders grew daily more conscious of it and more happy in it. On that very evening, as she attended in person to the potatoes stewed in cream and had them salted to just the right degree, she was thinking of the prayer meeting and the Monday Club and the New Temperance Organization and was hurrying her meal with a view to having all her borders in good time for these various attractions. She thought, too, of the 15-minute service in the parlor to which all the borders were invited. There were two new young men. Would they come into family worship? She cast a swift thought over her table appointments and with the thought went up a prayer. She must have as good a representation of a happy and prosperous home as she could so that the home custom of gathering for prayers might seem a fitting close to the hour. No, there are not many such boarding houses. It is true. But could there not be and ought there not to be? End of chapter 30, recording by Tricia G. Chapter 31 of Workers Together. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Workers Together or an Endless Chain by Pansy. Chapter 31, Opportunities in Disguise. Opposite to Robert Parks at the dining table sat Mr. Brooks, a young man who occupied an important position in a rival mercantile house was several years older than Robert and hitherto had ignored him as a younger and inferior being. On this particular evening, he seemed suddenly to have resolved to cultivate the youth's acquaintance and addressed him in a cordial tone. Parks, go over to the Day Street reading rooms with me tonight, will you? I promised to bring in some new friends if I could and introduce them to the library. We have just been making some fine additions. Poor Robert was beginning to feel that this was the day for invitations. Here was a very flattering one. The Day Street rooms were rather exclusive. He had never been directly invited to visit them before. I am sorry that I cannot this evening, he said in a regretful tone, on almost any other of my evenings which are free from business, I should like to join you, but tonight I have an engagement. At just that moment, he glanced at Dr. Everett. There was a slight smile on his face and a sort of suggestive look, if I may use the term, that made Robert's face flush. He thought of their conversation in the carriage. Could the doctor mean that it was his present duty to state the nature of his engagement? What good could come of that? And it would certainly be embarrassing. Yet here came a troublesome question which insisted on being answered. What was there embarrassing about it? Was a prayer meeting a questionable place for a young man to attend? Well, but this young man was almost an unbeliever. He did not even go to church on the Sabbath. Yes, what of that? Did the Bible direct that before unbelievers we must ignore prayer meetings? Was he really so ashamed of his new colors that he could not wear them before a man who did not believe in them? Questions somewhat like these hurried rapidly through his mind and the result was that in answer to Mr. Brooks's questioning look, he said, I have promised to attend the Fort Street prayer meeting this evening. Oh, I beg pardon. I was not aware that you attended a young man's prayer meeting. What was there in this sentence to make it so intensely disagreeable? Mr. Brooks did not sneer. He was too well-bred to do any such thing. But haven't you sometimes heard a sneer in the voice when the face was pleasant enough? Robert flushed hotly and his courage rose. When his personal pride was touched, he could be brave. I haven't attended a prayer meeting since I was a boy of 12 or so, he said firmly. This is a new departure, but I propose to be regular in attendance hereafter. Indeed. There was that peculiar look and tone again. It was almost a sneer. A decided one would have made Robert feel very bold. He spoke now in a clear ringing voice that could be distinctly heard around the quiet table. Perhaps this is as good a time as any to say to our family that I believe I have taken a new departure in many ways. I desire and hope to be found on the Lord's side in the future. Are congratulations in order, Mr. Parks? I am not very well posted as to the proprieties of the occasion. If they are, I am sure I congratulate you. Whereupon Mr. Brooks arose and with a bow and a most significant smile immediately left the room, and Robert somehow felt that he had made known the news in a manner probably very unlike that of the shepherds of old. Dr. Everett maintained a grave silence and Robert could almost have imagined that he disapproved of the attempt. But was it not in the very line of witnessing which he had counseled? Half an hour later, Robert was waiting in the hall, the coming of the doctor, when a note was handed to him. It was hurriedly scrawled, but he recognized Fred Briggs's handwriting and frowned. That fellow had given him annoyance enough during the day. What could he want now? I say, Parks, can't you come around and spend the evening and the night with a fellow? I'm more than two-thirds sick and a little skittish about staying up here in my den all alone lest I might get worse. You are the only fellow within reach that I can endure the sight of tonight or I wouldn't bore you. Some of the others will do to chaff with, but when one's head feels like mine, he wants them to keep their distance. If you've got any compassion in your heart, I hope you'll appear to me soon, for I am as blue as my mother's indigo bag. Yours, dismally, Fred Briggs. It was a very gloomy-faced young man who met the doctor in the hall a few minutes later. Read that, he said solemnly. The path of duty looked by no means so inviting to him as it had but a few moments before. He did want to go to the Fort Street prayer meeting and he did not want to spend the evening with Fred Briggs. It is very strange that he should send for me, he muttered, as the doctor glanced hurriedly over the note. I did not suppose I was an intimate friend of his. In fact, I have always thought him a good deal of a nuisance. Yet it is plainly to be seen that you are needed, the doctor said as he returned the invitation. Poor fellow! He wants to be petted by his mother, I presume. I hope he has a good one and that he has not been neglecting her. If anything serious is the matter and he has no position on his list of friends, perhaps you would do well to let me know in the morning or tonight if it should seem advisable. That is, you understand, I shall be glad to help if my services are needed. Your opportunities are certainly beginning, my friend. Notwithstanding that last sentence, Robert went off gloomily, feeling a little as though he had been dismissed, like a boy who was not supposed to have a mind of his own. Why, for instance, should the doctor take it for granted that he was going to throw up his engagement at the call of a fellow who had a fit of the blues? Opportunities, indeed. Much doctor Everett knew about it, the gayest and silliest clerk in the entire store. Seriousness of any sort would be wasted on him. Besides, he had a special desire to go to that young man's meeting and identify himself with them. Why did things poke themselves in right a thwart a man's line of duty? That was what he should like to know. The simple truth is that this young man had all his lifetime hitherto taught himself to do very much as he pleased. It was new business to find himself within the limits of the time that he had been in the habit of calling his own, pressed into a service that was not in the line with his inclinations. He was honest in his self-surrender, but he did not understand as yet what it was to give up the control of himself to another. Possessed by such feelings, brooding over his disappointment all the way, what do you think about his being a profitable companion for Fred Briggs? He struggled to control himself, but it seemed almost impossible not to let Fred see that he considered him a nuisance and had obeyed his summons much against his will. So well, in fact, did he succeed in making this impression that, 15 minutes after his arrival, young Briggs would have been glad to see him depart, would have sent him away, could he have thought of an excuse for doing so? As it was, he twisted about in his not very comfortable bed and grumbled, what in 60 do you suppose is the matter with me anyhow? Every bone in my body aches as though I had been a racehorse and lost the prize, and my blood has gone to boiling inside of me. I believe it meditates an explosion. Why, I presume you have taken cold, Robert said, speaking coldly enough almost to give the fellow a fresh supply. Those symptoms are by no means either strange or very alarming. I suppose not, Briggs said, drawing a heavy sigh, but they are confoundedly uncomfortable. Thereupon he sprang up with an effort to be manly and companionable, staggered into an uncomfortable, wooden-backed chair, leaned his head against another, and with a miserable groan, closed his eyes to shut back the tears. His head ached, and his bones ached, and his heart ached. He wanted his mother. He could imagine her having soaked his burning feet and plumped his pillows in some mysterious way that always seemed to make them large and cool, making gentle passes over his hot forehead with her cool, quiet hand, bending occasionally and touching her lips to his cheek with low murmured words of tenderness. He had just such a mother. She could do all these things. It was almost impossible to keep the tears from showing as he persisted in imagining her. His heart was very tender. A gentle word would have melted him utterly. One who would befriend him now in his loneliness and need might count on having almost unlimited influence over him in the future. Yet here sat this newly enlisted soldier of the king, found in honor to win other recruits from every possible source, looking gloomily into space, so utterly disappointed because he could not carry out his own cherished plan of going to the prayer meeting and showing his colors, that his eyes were blind to this opportunity, and he let his colors trail in the dust. It is almost a pity that he could not have been within hearing of Joy Saunders and Dr. Everett as they stood together in the sunset room for a moment, comparing notes as to the day's blessings. Among other things, they spoke of him. He is going to be an outspoken Christian, isn't he? Joy said, I was glad to hear him answer Mr. Brooks so firmly. He desires to honor his leader and is not ashamed of his uniform. Don't you think so? Perhaps, but the doctor spoke the word with a thoughtful gravity that might have helped to put Robert on his guard. It is possible that some of his courage was roused by Mr. Brooks's tone. I think that is the form of courage which he has. Downright sneers would make him very bold, but whether it would be the truest kind of boldness is possibly a question. He is sincere, but he wants to do his own leading, I think, like the most of us. We must help him, Joy. And could the doctor have peeped into Fred Brooks's sick room, he would have seen that the new soldier needed helping. End of chapter 31, recording by Tricia G. Chapter 32 of Workers Together. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Workers Together or an Endless Chain by Pansy. Chapter 32, Unwilling Service. Taking all things into consideration, I hardly know which spent the more miserable night, Briggs or his companion. Poor Briggs grew unmanageable, he would not go to bed and to sleep, and he would sit up and stare at Robert and growl. He was sure he was going to have a fit of sickness, he felt it all over him, and mother could not come. She wasn't able to travel, nor able to bear the strain of sickness anyway, though she was nicer when a fellow was sick than anything there was on this earth. She would have no money to come with, even if she had the strength. She was poor, of course. Everybody was poor who ought to be rich. The mean folks had all the money. For his part, he did not see why so many poor people had to keep living on and on, when it would be a great deal easier to die and be done with it. Part of this talk was the wildness of fever, but Robert, unused to attending the sick, did not recognize it and had much to do not to visibly lose patience with him. He could only look upon him as a nervous boy who had no serious trouble and perhaps needed a good scolding as much as anything. Not feeling called upon to give that, he considered a judicious letting alone the next best remedy. When the restless fellow finally tumbled back into bed, matters were not materially improved. He tossed from side to side, turned his pillows frequently, and finally threw them away, muttering constantly. To be sure he fell asleep, but this by no means brought quiet. Tossings and mutterings continued, the indistinct murmuring being almost more unendurable than the downright grumblings had been. When, at a late hour, Robert gloomily resigned himself to the necessities of the case and lay down on the outermost edge of the narrow bed, he realized for the first time that his companion was burning with fever. He did not in the least know what to do for him. Also, he believed that the necessity for doing was not great. People suffering with severe colds always had more or less fever and he had heard his mother say that it was no wise alarming when they were even slightly delirious. So, feeling that there was nothing better to do, he extinguished the smoky lamp somewhat after midnight, crept as far away from the tossing form as he could, and dropped asleep. A narrow streak of sunshine slanting a thwart his face awakened him. Fred Briggs was also awake and if more subdued was certainly not more hopeful than on the preceding evening. Robert, looking at him by the light of the day, could see that his lips were fever-parched and his eyes unnaturally bright. On the whole, it seemed probable that he would prove a true prophet and have an experience in the sick room. Much to Robert's relief, he was more anxious about the store and that his employer should know that it was illness and not carelessness or dissipation which kept him away than he was for anything else. This would make it necessary for Robert to report promptly at the store, which thing he was quite willing to do. And what besides that can I do for you anything before I go? He asked, causing before the disordered bed and watching the restless twists and turns of its occupant. Oh, I'm sure I don't know, nothing I suppose. I wouldn't have mother know for a kingdom that I am sick. Wasn't it you told me once that your mother couldn't leave your father to come to you? Well, we are in the same fix. My mother can't leave my little sister, Nettie. She is sick all the time in suffering and she is blind. That was what made me think of you last night. I wanted mother UC as a fellow always does and I knew I couldn't have her. Then it occurred to me that you had been through it and would know how I felt. No, there's nothing. Nobody else cares whether I'm sick or well. Have you nobody who would come and stay with you for a while? Briggs gave an impatient jerk to his small and long suffering pillow. I haven't an acquaintance in town that I wouldn't walk a mile to get rid of seeing nor one who would come to see me if he knew I was sick and could help himself. Now go, please. Whereupon he retired to the farthest corner of the bed and turned his face to the wall. Robert gave a little sigh. He was beginning to be sorry for the poor fellow, a little worried about him, but at the same time was a good deal relieved to remember that duty undoubtedly called him to the store. Still, something ought to be done. Well, he said irresolutely, I'll speak to your landlady as I go down. Of course she will attend to you. Of course, came in muffled tone from behind the pillow. Do so by all means. She will be as attentive as a whole regiment of mothers. The full force of this ironical statement did not impress Robert until he paused at a door below to meet the uncombed, collarless, partly buttonless, altogether untidy woman who presided over this third-rate boarding house peopled by young men with small salaries. Then he wondered whether it would not have been better to have taken the risk of leaving Briggs to himself rather than to have exposed him to the possibility of a visit from such a woman as this. Still, her air and tone did not suggest the idea that she would hasten to his aid. Perhaps after all, he might escape her. Sick is he, Mr. Katie said, a shade of anxiety in his voice as later in the day Robert reported at headquarters the cause of the non-appearance of number 13. I've been expecting that, a most careless, reckless young fellow. I don't know his equal in those respects. The wonder is that he is alive. After this encouraging statement, he walked nervously up and down the aisles for a few moments, giving short, sharp orders to the arriving clerks and then returned to Robert. Parks, is anyone with young Briggs? No, sir. Quite alone is he. Do you know whether he has any friend among his associates who could be secured to look after him awhile until we learn what is the extent of his trouble? He says not. He told me he would walk a mile to get rid of seeing any of them. Sensible friendships for a young man to form, said the elder gentleman with a curling lip. Another pause with some more thoughtful walking about the store and Mr. Katie came again to Robert. How came you to be with Briggs last night? You spent the night with him, I think you said. Is he a favorite of yours? Hardly, but he's sent for me and of course I could not refuse. Ah, then you are an exception to those whom the poor fellow would walk a mile to avoid. And it is your opinion that he is seriously ill? I'll tell you what I wish you would do. Just step around and remain with him for awhile until we can make other arrangements. I should not like to have him suffer through any neglect. I knew his father in my boyhood and his mother is an estimable and unfortunate woman. I have a very kind feeling toward him for his parents' sake. Indeed, I am under a sort of half promise to look after the boy. Of course there is very little that I can do in that line, but if he is sick, I want him to be taken care of, though I must say he has probably brought this trouble on himself. I have been annoyed with him for some time. Perhaps you can have a good influence over him now. If you will go around and do what you can for his comfort and remain with him until someone else appears or until I can make my plans as to what is best, I shall consider it a favor on your part. Can I make it clear to you with what reluctance Robert obeyed this request, which had behind it all the authority of a command? He was willing, nay anxious, to do his best for his employer, but to go back out of the freshness and sunshine to the stuffy room where he had passed the night and watch Fred Briggs toss about on that dreadful bed and not have the slightest idea what to do for him and but little inclination to do it if he had, this was a hard lot indeed. He made no haste through the bright and busy streets. He felt sullen and rebellious. He was not a nurse nor yet a servant. Why should he be treated as such? He assuredly did not understand the way in which he was being led. He had enlisted, yes, and was willing to do his duty. But why was this duty? There is many a soldier like him. He is not a friend of mine, I am sure, he muttered. I think I have done my part in staying all night. There are people enough who can be hired for such work. I'm not one of them. Why doesn't he hire a nurse if he is sorry for him and has such an interest in the family? Robert's pronouns, though very carelessly managed, were all clear to himself. He gave a fierce jerk to the asthmatic bell of the boarding house and ran against the landlady in the hall. I was just going up to your friend, she explained. I have been that busy that I couldn't get away before, but now you are come back, he will be all right. I'll look in when I can, but I do hope he isn't going to be sick long. It adds to the work awful and is bad for the house besides. Professionally installed as head nurse, muttered Robert in intense disgust, and daining no reply to the sympathetic words, he rushed up the many flights of stairs. His patient had fallen into an uneasy sleep. His face was hot with fever and the rings under his eyes were heavy. The sun glared fiercely at him and the room seemed black with flies which were buzzing about with every variety of torturing noise that great and little flies can make. Down sat Robert in the midst of this disorder and misery. So little of a nurse was he, indeed so little common sense had he were sickness was concerned that it actually did not occur to him to shut out the sunlight. He looked about the room. It seemed by far the most horrid looking room that he was ever in. Not a comfortable thing in it, nor a neat thing. He muttered, contrasting it mentally with the one over whose appointments Joy's taste presided. It's enough to make a fellow sick to be in such a place. Fred Briggs turned himself over 10 times in as many minutes and at last awoke. You hear, he said in surprise and then occurred question and answer about affairs in the store. That was very kind in him but horrid for you, he said in answer to Robert's explanation that the senior partner had sent him back. I wouldn't have come if I had been you. Have you had anything to eat? Questioned Robert and was answered by a gesture of disgust and a fierce. Don't you dare say that again. Well, in my opinion, you ought to see a doctor and have something done for you and somebody to do it. Poor Briggs groaned. A doctor is the most expensive animal that has yet been discovered, he said with grim sarcasm and the something done and the somebody to do it, I'll take money. Who is to pay the bills I should like to know? With such inspiring conversation as this the morning wore away. Briggs tossed and groaned and dozed and every minute the fever seemed to grow fiercer. No one came, people tramped up and downstairs and rang bells and slammed doors and screamed at one another down endless halls. Still no knock at his door. It was nearly noon before Robert he thought himself of Dr. Everett's words. If there is anything serious the matter, let me know. He has probably forgotten it by this time. He told himself with curling lip what had Mr. Katie's promise to secure help or the landlady's promise to look in amounted to. He grew angry thinking of it. Somebody should do something. The slatteringly woman should send a note to Dr. Everett. He would give him a chance to prove whether he meant anything but words. With some delay and much trouble this plan was carried into effect. By this time the sun was shining fairly on the sick head. Still it did not occur to the watcher to shut it out. His own head began to ache and the pangs of hunger made themselves felt. Finding himself late in the morning he had breakfasted at a restaurant and the contrast between the tables there and those served by Mrs. Saunders had not been appetizing. Now he was evidently expected to get along without any dinner. He rusted his head on his hand and felt ill-used. Another quick ring of the long-suffering bell, decisive steps on the stairs and at last a low firm knock at the door. End of Chapter 32, recording by Tricia G. Chapter 33 of Workers Together. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Workers Together or An Endless Chain by Pansy. Chapter 33, Time for Thought. What have we here? Asked Dr. Everett, turning it once toward the bed. However he gave scarcely a glance at its occupant before he went to shut out the blinding sun pushing the window up from below and down from above and closing blinds and slats. Robert felt the instant relief and secretly wondered at his own stupidity. A few minutes more and the doctor stood before the rickety wash stand disposing of the soap suds that had been left in the sickly-looking yellowish bowl. Just stepped downstairs and raised a piece of ice for me. He said to Robert in tones of quiet authority, say that I must have some. There was no alternative but to obey. But as Robert slowly descended the stairs, he wondered if the doctor knew how much he hated to go. By the time he returned the newcomer had made a fly brush of the soiled towel and was unceremoniously whipping the flies into the hall wither he presently through the towel. Then he fumbled among certain suspicious looking rags that adorned the wash stand and presently abandoning them drew from his pocket and deliberately unfolded a large cambrick handkerchief, dipped it into the ice water and began to make slow, steady passes with it over the burning head and face of his patient. Presently he laid the handkerchief, ice and all on the hot head and gave himself to straightening the disordered draperies of the bed. Robert, watching him for a few moments, at last stooped down and gathering up Riggs's clothing, which lay where it had been recklessly kicked by its owner the night before, disposed of it in the recesses of a little closet in the corner. If you can find a duster of some sort that table and shelf will be much the better for its use. There is dust enough in this room to produce a fever almost. This was the form of the doctor's next order and Robert, securing one of the discarded rags, meekly proceeded to dust the room. By the time the bedclothes had submitted to the hand of a master, the patient opened his eyes. Does it refresh you any? Question Dr. Everett rearranging the ice. It feels like a little bit of mother. There was relief and gratitude in the tone. The doctor looking about him presently drew a chair and renewing the passes of the cool cloth overhead in face, asked a few careful questions. Apparently it was a plain case of some sort and needed not many words. What nourishment have you taken? This was the next question. Nothing. Since when? Yesterday morning. The doctor smothered an exclamation of some sort and turned to Robert. Parks, please descend to the lower regions and secure a glass of iced milk for me as soon as it can be accomplished. Then tell the reigning powers that I want the cook sent to me to get directions about preparing some food for a sick man and I want it done immediately. Oh, doctor came in feeble protest from the bed and Fred tried to raise himself a trifle and prepared to talk. Lie still, please, and don't talk any just now. You are too much exhausted. You are in my hands now and there is nothing for you but to submit. Parks, obey my directions, please. It really took very little time for all these and several other things to happen. Before Dr. Everett had been in the room half an hour by his watch, it had assumed a sort of cleared up freshened air and was freer from flies than it had been since those pests arrived on the scene. The slovenly landlady also discovered that it was her duty to look in and had received Dr. Everett's authoritative orders with such infinite respect and tone and manner as led Robert to conclude that she knew to whom she was speaking. You will remember that Dr. Everett had a peculiar talent for asking questions. Before Robert Parks realized their full meaning, the doctor, by a few well-chosen leading questions, had possessed himself of all the circumstances connected with the night and the morning thus far. More than that, Robert suddenly felt as though he had himself told the doctor that he had been sullen and selfish and culpably careless of the sufferings of another. Somebody must stay here tonight who will forget himself and take excellent care of that young man. This was the doctor's pointed sentence, spoken as he stood with Robert in the hall. He is very sick and will probably because of needless delay grow worse. It becomes necessary to act with promptness. He tells me that he has no physician in the city, so I shall take the case in hand and I shall expect whoever enters that room to obey my directions in every particular. Since you have been detailed there for service, you must remain until we can do better. I should think a professional nurse ought to be engaged. I have had no practice in that direction and I have had no dinner at all and no breakfast to speak of. Robert spoke with great hot tour. It was not the dinner that he valued so highly, but he felt hurt and ashamed and wanted Dr. Everett to understand that he had been at some sacrifice, but the effort was productive of little comfort. Your dinner will keep probably as mine must, the doctor said coolly. I have had none as yet and expect to make six calls before I shall have an opportunity to get any. Your messenger was fortunate in finding me just as I was leaving Washington Square, but you were extremely unfortunate in not sending for help before. The indications are that he passed a wretched suffering night. Professional nurses are good when you can get them. It is unfortunate that they are especially scarce just now. I have been on the lookout for one all the morning without success, but the Lord's nurses are always to be found. On my way downtown, I will leave a message at the Young Men's Christian Association and some Christian young man will report for duty tonight without fail. I will even try to secure somebody to relieve you soon so that you may eat your dinner, but you certainly must not leave the poor fellow until somebody comes to take your place and you must follow the directions I have given with the utmost care. Was not this hard treatment for the young soldier? He felt such a bitter sense of being misunderstood that he could hardly control his voice to answer, but he did it hotly still. I have not the slightest intention of leaving him and of course I will follow your directions. Then he saw the doctor depart and went back to his vigil with great bitterness of heart. What bright had Dr. Everett to insinuate that he had been selfish and neglectful? How should he have known that there was serious illness? If there were, why should he be expected to know how to manage? Why should the Young Men's Christian Association be flaunted in his face? He was not a member and it was not likely that he ever would be. A party of fine young men with plenty of money who have nothing to do but play at benevolence. This was the way he characterized them. He did not believe there was one among them who had to earn his own living. What should hinder them from sitting up nights when they could sleep all day if they chose? They might take care of Fred Briggs and welcome and get all the glory they could out of it. He should wash his hands of the whole affair. You will perceive that he was not very well posted as to the Christian Association, but this was not for lack of opportunity to become acquainted. Young men high in position had sought him out and tried to win him, but poor Robert had had an angry sense of being patronized to hold him back from them. I think the young man will always remember the dinnerless afternoon which he spent in the darkened room, taking what care he could of one who apparently grew worse every moment. It was an afternoon of conflict. At first un-reasoning passion had the upper hand. There came a note from Dr. Everett saying that he had utterly failed in procuring proper help as yet, that he was still trying, but that the bearer of this would relieve him and remain until further orders. Would he very carefully explain the directions as it was imperative that they be followed? The bearer was one of the clerks sent there by Mr. Cady at Dr. Everett's request. This last item added fuel to Robert's anger. Did the doctor think that he wanted him to go to headquarters and complain of ill treatment? He dismissed the clerk with very few words of explanation beyond the fact that he chose to remain himself, and so Mr. Cady might be told. I do not know whether he ever realized how much he owed the clerk who had sense enough to clothe his message in respectful language before giving it to his chief. Left alone, the angry fellow went through several stages of passion until it somewhat spent itself and gave him a chance to ask what he was angry about. Carefully considered, it appeared after all that he was most angry with himself. Following closely upon this discovery came a sort of despair, a failure thus early in his Christian course. What could he hope for if this were the beginning? Was he a Christian at all? Had his solemn experiences only last Sabbath been nothing but a delusion? Should he give it all up? Religion was not for such as he. Life was too full of carping cares and petty annoyances for him ever to make a success of it. Let the young men of the association who had leisure to do it well take upon them the name which he could only disgrace. He was still so angry that he could not think the word association without a curling lip. All unwittingly, Dr. Everett had dealt him a hard blow, but you are to do him the justice to remember that he did not mean half the things he thought any more than you do, my friend, when you let anger sway you and pour her thoughts through your brain. Thoughts which you do not mean to harbor but which you give way to and let roll through. There came quieter ones. Indeed, it was a quiet afternoon. Briggs had dropped at last into a heavy slumber. Too heavy had the watcher but known it. He did know enough to be solemnized by the movelessness of the purple-faced sleeper and to wonder anxiously when the doctor would come and whether he ought to be sent for again. He roused his patient with difficulty to give the medicine and directly it was swallowed the poor fellow sank away again into that strange unnatural sleep. Time for thought. After all, I don't know that Robert Parks ever passed a more profitable hour than that which came to him at last when the storm of passion had subsided and he had forgotten his pride in the sense of humiliation and failure and in turn forgotten that even in the sense of bitter sorrow. He had failed his captain at almost the first call. That he was sincere, you will know when I tell you that this last thought, when it came in force, drove him at once to his knees and by that you know also that he gained a victory. End of chapter 33, recording by Tricia G.