nald
missed the information he was seeking.

Then it was Donald's turn to be catechised. He had to satisfy his
uncle in regard to his work at college, his coming examinations, his
professors, his friends, his sports and all other college lore.

Duncan sat listening to the recital in silent delight, thinking much
more of the speaker than of the words he uttered. But as he rattled on
the old man became conscious of a vague fear entering his heart. He
could not define its cause, but somehow Donald seemed changed. There
was a recklessness in his manner and an occasional irreverence in his
speech which struck his foster-father painfully. He tried several
times to lead the conversation to questions regarding Donald's
spiritual welfare.

"Mr. Egerton was here jist a few minutes before you came," he said by
way of commencement. If he had known that Donald had met him and
Jessie Hamilton walking into the Glen together he might have refrained
from mentioning the young minister, and would perhaps have understood
his nephew's reckless demeanour.

"That's so?" Donald's answer was rather sharp, and he added
sarcastically, "It's a great pity I missed the beneficial influence of
his pastoral visitation."

"Why is it you would never be liking him, Donal'?" inquired the old man
remorsefully. "He would be speaking very highly of you last Christmas,
and I feel he will be trying to do the Lord's work."

Donald laughed scornfully. "Perhaps he is. But if that's so, I'm
sorry for the Lord's work; it seems to be a mighty mean business
sometimes."

Duncan winced as if with acute pain. "Donal'," he said gravely, "it
will not be right to be speaking this way of God's minister. I am
thinking you would not be doing it before you went away, lad."

Donald was smitten with remorse. He looked across the table at the old
man's gentle, white face, and a lump rose in his throat. "I don't mean
to say anything disparaging of the ministry, Uncle," he said
contritely, "but I know Mr. Egerton better than anyone thinks,
and,--well, he's not a gentleman, that's all."

"It is only the Lord who can judge a man, Donal'," said Duncan Polite,
after a moment's pained silence. "Mr. Egerton will be the Lord's
servant and his Master will know all his work better than we will."

But Donald had almost finished his second year at college and was very
confident of himself. "Well, here's something I don't understand,
Uncle. There's a fellow in my