“What is thy meaning? What wouldst thou have me do with this rupee?” asked Padre Ghopal in surprise as he took the money.
Isa Das pointed with his finger to the ruins and said, “I should like to put one brick into that church.”
“This is strange—very strange!” exclaimed Padre Logan. “I never heard of anything like it in this country before. How can such a man, lean in body, and wearing but one garment, have a whole rupee to spare?” and he glanced with suspicion at Isa Das, for he thought to himself,—“That man must have stolen the piece of silver.”
“Let not my lord have hard thoughts of his servant,” said Isa Das, who understood the look. “Your servant to-day helped Gunga Ram and Ya’kub to save the life of Manton Sahib when he had missed the ford, and was nearly drowned in the river. Manton Sahib for that service gave to each of us a rupee.”
“And you devote yours to the building of your church!” exclaimed Padre Logan.
“I give it to the Lord, who loved and gave Himself for me,” was Isa Das’s reply, as with a cheerful, happy heart he turned from the place.
Padre Logan watched the poor man as he departed, then suddenly shook Ghopal by the hand. “God forgive me for my harsh judgment!” he cried; “and God be praised that there are men in India like this poor ryot!”
A ray of pleasure and hope brightened the face of Padre Ghopal. “I will once more visit the baboos,” he said, “and see if the example of this poor man will not move them to give of their abundance, even as he hath given of his poverty. But first let us together beseech the Lord to open the hearts of the people.”