"I think, Leslie, if you said you were going to sweep a crossing in London, I would buy a broom and shoulder it joyfully after you!"
Dr. Fergusson smiled down at her.
"I should not like to think that was your only motive for following me out to the mission field."
"No," said Jean, an earnest look succeeding the mirthful one in her eyes. "I shall gladly follow the Master's servant because I love him, but I also love the message he takes, and above all, I love the Master from whom it comes. And, Leslie, we will not be melancholy missionaries. It is a message of good tidings. We will think of the verse—
"'The desert like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness shall be
found therein; thanksgiving and the voice of melody.'"
[CHAPTER XXV]
LOOKING BACK
"How sweet to know
The trials which we cannot comprehend
Have each their own divinely purposed end.
He traineth so
For higher learning, ever onward reaching
For fuller knowledge yet, and His own deeper teaching."
"Nor only here
The rich result of all our God doth teach,
His scholars, slow at best until we reach
A nobler sphere;
Then, only then, our training is complete,
And the true life begins for which He made us meet."—F. R. Havergal.
"DEAR COZ,—When is your wedding coming off? Mine is next Midsummer Day. I'm following your example, and Chris and I are going to set up house together. We understand each other to a T, and she's a stirring, cheery companion, I can tell you! She is a true farmer's wife, for a working farmer I mean to be, either in this old land or across the ocean. All my hurt feelings have departed. I could even shake hands with your doctor, so send me a line, and I'll ever remain,"
"Your affec. cousin,"
"CHARLIE."
Jean received this letter about six weeks after she had been in Scotland.