"Oh, she must. She thinks every one is sincere and good, and all the world as it should be. I hope her faith will stand the shocks it is bound to have."
"Sunnie is in the care of One who loves her, the One who has power enough to keep her from the evil in the world."
"Yes."
There was a pause; then Dr. Fergusson leant forward, and put his hand on Jean's arm.
"Jean, my child, I want to unburden myself to you. I want your help."
"I will give it," Jean replied simply, but the deep devotion in her eyes told more than her words.
Dr. Fergusson drew a long breath.
"Will you be willing to cast your lot in with mine wherever I may be led?"
"Yes; as long as I am with you, nothing else matters."
"Listen, Jean. For years, I have been longing for a fuller sphere of work. A doctor has some opportunities, but they are few and far between. A sick-bed and agonies of pain are not conducive to listening to the Master's message. I have longed to go out like the early apostles did, to preach and teach the gospel of the kingdom. For years, I have believed that God intends I shall do so, but I have not seen my way. Even that tiny Sunnie, when she was tied to her sofa, held me with an iron hand from attempting a change of work. How could I leave her, when I knew she depended on me for cheer and comfort and guidance? Now she and her mother are one, she has more interests in her life, and she can stand alone. She does not need me. I have been thinking deeply of the cry abroad for medical missionaries. We sit at home and say people ought to go; thousands are still unreached, unfed, unsatisfied. Will you come with me?"