years of responsibility. Then,
when He had entered upon His task, not even His mother's voice could
turn Him from it. When His friends thought Him beside Himself, and she
with them sought to take Him away from His work, He said, 'Who is My
mother? . . . Whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my
brother and sister and mother.' But He still was not unfilial. When
not even the thought of the sword through her heart could take Him from
the cross, He made provision for her, commending her to John's faithful
love."

Hubert's eyes grew soft again with thoughts of his father. There was
no need to think of provision for him, for he had enough. But he
longed to give him always the joy of a son's tender love and
companionship. Still the supreme call was inexorable, and another
Father's business demanded filial fellowship.

"Thou must care for him, Lord," he said, and with a sudden impulse he
knelt beside the library table and prayed that God would take away all
the sting of his father's grief, and give him joy instead; joy in
fellowship with the great Father in His giving.

After prayer he was much relieved and went to his work as usual,
admitting to his office soon after his arrival Mr. Carew, who called in
response to his wish of the day before. Hubert had more to offer than
the financial gift contemplated.

CHAPTER XVIII

GOD, MY EXCEEDING JOY

A heavy cloud hung over the house for days. Mr. Gray was silent and
sad. All attempts to renew the conversation of that painful Thursday
morning were waived aside. Hubert was at a loss to know how to proceed
with his project, but he and Winifred gave themselves to diligent
prayer. As to the latter, sharp as was her grief at the thought of
parting with her brother, her love for God was stronger, and she did
not hesitate for a moment in her consent that he should go.

"I do not know any other answer to give to God," she said. "Surely I
have nothing too precious for Him, when He has given all to me. And
you know," she said with a radiant smile, "Hubert and I can never lose
each other! We cannot lose what is in Christ!"

She made these remarks to Adele Forrester, to whom the matter of
Hubert's call to foreign service was communicated. Her friend listened
very quietly.

Adele had been steadily growing in God's grace since the day when His
way of salvation dawned so brightly upon her. She was the same
merry-hearted young woman as before, but a certa