t?" Shenac asked one night.

"Oh, just preaching, and praying, and singing."

"But that is nonsense," insisted Shenac. "You are not so fond of
preaching as all that. What is it, Dan?"

"It's just that," said Dan; "that is all they do. The minister speaks
to folk, and sometimes the elders; and that's all. But, Shenac, it's
wonderful to see so many folk listening and solemn, as if it was the
judgment day; and whiles one reads and prays--folk that never used; and
I'm always wondering who it will be next. Last night it was Sandy
McMillan. You should have heard him, Shenac."

"Sandy McMillan!" repeated Shenac contemptuously. "What next, I wonder?
I think the folk are crazed. It must be the singing. I mind when I
was at Uncle Allister's last year I went to the Methodist watch-meeting,
and the singing--oh, you should have heard the singing, Hamish! I could
not keep back the tears, do what I would. It must be the singing, Dan."

Dan shook his head.

"They just sing the psalms, Shenac. I never heard anything else--and
the old tunes. They do sound different, though."

"Well, it goes past me," said Shenac. "But it is all nonsense going
every night, Dan--so far too."

"There are plenty of folk who go further," said Dan. "You should go
yourself, Shenac."

"I have something else to do," said Shenac.

"Everybody goes," continued Dan; and he repeated the names of many
people, far and near, who were in the new kirk night after night. "Come
with me and Peter to-night, Shenac."

But Shenac had other things to think about, she said. Still she thought
much of this too.

"I wonder what it is, Hamish," said she when they were alone. "I can
understand why Dan and Peter McLay should go--just because other folk
go; and I daresay there's some excitement in seeing all the folk, and
that is what they like. But so many others, sensible folk, and worldly
folk, and all kinds of folk, in this busy harvest-time! You should go,
Hamish, and see what it is all about."

But the way was long and the meetings were late, and Hamish needed to
save his strength; and he did not go, though many spoke of the meetings,
and the wonderful change which was wrought in the heart and life of many
through their means. He wondered as well as Shenac, but not in the same
way; for he had felt in his own heart the wondrous power that lies in
the simple truth of God to comfort and strengthen and enlighten; and it
came into his mind, sometime