I ken, Jamie," she said, "'at all my days on this earth, be they
short or lang, I've you for a staff to lean on."

Ah, many years have gone since then, but if Jamie be living now he has
still those words to swallow.

By and by Leeby went ben for the Bible, and put it into Hendry's hands.
He slowly turned over the leaves to his favourite chapter, the
fourteenth of John's Gospel. Always, on eventful occasions, did Hendry
turn to the fourteenth of John.

"Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in Me.

"In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you."

As Hendry raised his voice to read there was a great stillness in the
kitchen. I do not know that I have been able to show in the most
imperfect way what kind of man Hendry was. He was dense in many
things, and the cleverness that was Jess's had been denied to him. He
had less book-learning than most of those with whom he passed his days,
and he had little skill in talk. I have not known a man more easily
taken in by persons whose speech had two faces. But a more simple,
modest, upright man, there never was in Thrums, and I shall always
revere his memory.

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and
receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

The voice may have been monotonous. I have always thought that
Hendry's reading of the Bible was the most solemn and impressive I have
ever heard. He exulted in the fourteenth of John, pouring it forth
like one whom it intoxicated while he read. He emphasized every other
word; it was so real and grand to him.

We went upon our knees while Hendry prayed, all but Jess, who could
not. Jamie buried his face in her lap. The words Hendry said were
those he used every night. Some, perhaps, would have smiled at his
prayer to God that we be not puffed up with riches nor with the things
of this world. His head shook with emotion while he prayed, and he
brought us very near to the throne of grace. "Do thou, O our God," he
said, in conclusion, "spread Thy guiding hand over him whom in Thy
great mercy Thou hast brought to us again, and do Thou guard him
through the perils which come unto those that go down to the sea in
ships. Let not our hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid, for
this is not our abiding home, and may we all meet in Thy house, where
there are many mansions, and where t