Duncan's smile grew more radiant. "Oh, indeed, they will be calling me
that foolish name, whatever," he said apologetically, "but my name will
be jist McDonald, Duncan McDonald; oh yes, and you will be coming in
for a little rest?"

His manner was so eager and kindly that John Egerton readily accepted.
He could not account, however, for the look of joy that overspread the
old man's face as he led him up the flower-bordered path; for he was
unaware that Duncan was saying to himself that Donald would be sure to
drop in on his way to the Glen, as he always did, and at last he would
see those two together and the Lord would do the rest.

The visitor sat down on the chair beside the lilac bush, having
persuaded his host that he preferred to sit out of doors. He leaned
back with a sigh of relief and gazed around him. The whole landscape
was darkly radiant with that wonderful life-like pulsation which we
call the after-glow. The sky was a suggestion of rose and amber
fainting into a delicate green and deepening again into a transparent
blue where one star hung above Duncan's pines. A world of insect life
hummed sleepily in the long grass of the meadow; across the road in the
darkness of the woods, a whip-poor-will was whistling away at his
plaintive little tune; and from far down in the valley at their feet
came up the laughter and shouts of children at play.

"This is a lovely spot," said the young man, feeling soothed and
rested. Duncan Polite's face beamed; he did not answer, from sheer
joy, but waited in silence for such words of wisdom as his pastor might
be pleased to utter. John Egerton talked easily when his company was
pleasant, and he was soon chatting away upon such topics as he
considered congenial to the old farmer--the crops, the prospects for
the haying, the mill in the valley, the amount of lumber sawn and the
money realised.

And all the time Duncan Polite's whole soul was waiting for his guest
to speak of the one great subject, the subject that would make it
possible for him to tell this young disciple of his Master that all his
hope for Glenoro and Donald lay in him. But the minister continued his
friendly chat upon indifferent topics, until it was interrupted by a
noise upon the road above, a sound of loud talking and louder laughter
drawing near. He paused to listen and involuntarily the faces of both
men broke into smiles in reflection of the mirth which was apparently
convulsing those who