once he became
conscious that Shocky sat yet in his accustomed place upon the hard,
backless bench.

"Why, Shocky, haven't you gone yet?"

"No--sir--I was waitin' to see if you warn't a-goin', too--I--"

"Well?"

"I thought it would make me feel as if God warn't quite so fur away to
talk to you. It did the other day."

The master rose and put his hand on Shocky's head. Was it the
brotherhood in affliction that made Shocky's words choke him so? Or, was
it the weird thoughts that he expressed? Or, was it the recollection
that Shocky was Hannah's brother? Hannah so far, far away from him now!
At any rate, Shocky, looking up for the smile on which he fed, saw the
relaxing of the master's face, that had been as hard as stone, and felt
just one hot tear on his hand.

"P'r'aps God's forgot you, too," said Shocky in a sort of half
soliloquy. "Better get away from Flat Creek. You see God forgets
everybody down here. 'Cause 'most everybody forgets God, 'cept Mr.
Bosaw, and I 'low God don't no ways keer to be remembered by sich as
him. Leastways I wouldn't if I was God, you know. I wonder what becomes
of folks when God forgets 'em?" And Shocky, seeing that the master had
resumed his seat and was looking absently into the fire, moved slowly
out the door.

"Shocky!" called the master.

The little poet came back and stood before him.

"Shocky, you mustn't think God has forgotten you. God brings things out
right at last." But Ralph's own faith was weak, and his words sounded
hollow and hypocritical to himself. Would God indeed bring things out
right?

He sat musing a good while, trying to convince himself of the truth of
what he had just been saying to Shocky--that God would indeed bring
things out right at last. Would it all come out right if Bud married
Hannah? Would it all come out right if he were driven from Flat Creek
with a dark suspicion upon his character? Did God concern himself with
these things? Was there any God? It was the same old struggle between
Doubt and Faith. And when Ralph looked up, Shocky had departed.

In the next hour Ralph fought the old battle of Armageddon. I shall not
describe it. You will fight it in your own way. No two alike. The
important thing is the End. If you come out as he did, with the doubt
gone and the trust in God victorious, it matters little just what shape
the battle may take. Since Jacob became Israel there have never been two
such struggles alike, save in that they all end