"I should be charmed. I envy you your library! Being shut up for the greater part of the year, this house does not own many books."
General Macdonald looked at her thoughtfully.
Rowena was always good to look at. Her face was extraordinarily alive with interest and emotion. One of her friends said that her soul seemed to be leaping forth from her body. Now, as she lay back among her cushions, there was a magnificent energy and force in every feature of her face.
She drew a long breath.
"Oh, it's good to be learning new things," she said. "This small attempt of mine has taught me so much of this dear place! By the by, do you know our new young minister? He is very interested in all local history, and has the superstitious soul of the Highlander in spite of his religion."
"I have met him and like him. I lent him an old book of mine the other day, written by one of those early divines, and its quaint phraseology pleased me. I copied a bit out for you. Tell me how you like it?"
General Macdonald produced a notebook out of his pocket and read the following:
"I walk the world now with the World's Creator."
"He opens many doors for me. One door I fain would have open,
but He opens it not. I know He will do it on the Great Surprise day,
and till then I wait patiently and serenely, being assured verily
that were I to have all doors unlocked now, I should lose that
goodly champion Hope."
"This one closed door has many crowds about it. Some tamper with the
lock and endeavour to spy through the keyhole. They do not endeavour
long, but depart with high head and pouting lips; saying that
because of their inability to see through to the other side, there
remaineth no other side at all."
"And others sit down and weave imaginary conceits about it which
they pass on proudly to the unimaginative ones."
"And I, with my hand in the Almighty one, have learned and am
still learning daily how to love the Unseen Presence which leads
and surrounds me."
"I know His keys will be used as He sees fit."
"And one day that last door shall be opened to me."
"Till then I am content to smile and trust and wait."
"I like it," said Rowena emphatically. "It is sound philosophy. I have no patience with those who have cravings for the moon. Nor do I wish just yet to attain all my desires. Hope is a goodly companion. I suppose this experience is yours. You told me a new world had opened out to you and taken possession of you."
"It's my aim to make it mine," General Macdonald said slowly. Then he gave a short laugh. "Meanwhile I think great thoughts, and lose my temper at the least provocation! I nearly swore at the child this morning! Her continual motion gets on my nerves. Thank goodness Miss Falconer will keep her quiet for half every day now. She's an ideal companion when one wants to lounge or laze, but not when one wants to read and attend to business matters. And in the early morning I'm testy and crusty—always have been."