hat I should be, I should choose the life, and
work, and character of my father."

David's voice faltered.

"Since when has that been your choice?" asked Philip.

"Always! I mean, always since he died. And, before that, he was my
ideal of wisdom and goodness, though I did not particularly wish or try
to be like him then?"

"And it was his wish that you should choose his profession, and live his
life, and do his work?"

"He wished it,--yes. And now I wish it, not merely because of his wish,
but because--I love my Lord and Master, and because I wish to honour Him
as His soldier and servant--"

David did not find it easy to say all this to Philip, and there was
silence for a minute or two.

"But haven't you been losing time?" said Philip.

"No. Mamma does not think so. Time should try a decision so important,
she thinks. I am young yet, and I have been keeping up my reading
pretty well. And, besides, she thinks the care, and the steady work,
and our life altogether,--having to manage with just enough, you know,--
has been good discipline for me, and a sort of preparation."

"I see! And when is the other sort of preparation to begin?"

"I don't know. The way will open, mamma always says. When we came here
first, mamma and Violet meant to keep a school; but, after Violet went
to teach your sisters, we could get on without it, and it was so much
better for us to have mamma all to ourselves. She may think of it
again, and Violet is better able to help her now."

"It is a slave's life."

"No; I don't think mamma objects to it on that ground. But there is no
haste about it. I always remember what mamma said to me once--`If your
master has a special work for you to do, He will provide the means for
special preparation.'"

"What a wonderful woman your mother is!" said Philip.

David laughed, such a happy laugh.

"Is she? She does not think so."

"I wonder if she would be on my side if I were to tell her all about old
Caldwell's plans, and how much good you could do with us--and a future
partnership, and all that. Why, Davie, you might, when you are a rich
man, educate any number of ministers. Wouldn't that do as well as to be
one yourself?"

"That will be something for you to do. No; I don't think mamma would be
on your side."

"But you are her bread-winner, as I have heard her say. How can she
spare you?"

"And I shall always be so while she needs me. I can wait a long time
patiently,