"Not always, child, I must confess," he said at length.
"Besides, my father says not to lay up treasure for roth and must to corrupt!" put in Nan, coming to the surface. At this, they all shouted, much to Nan's discomfiture.
For awhile the banker looked out on the showery landscape, then he turned to the children's mother.
"Perhaps you are right, Mrs. Rayburn," he said gently. "The world is all too selfish;" and he sighed as he said it.
"It is indeed," came the emphatic answer. "There is no crime, there is no sin, that has not for its basis selfishness. It is the evil part of life, and the Christ life that ought to be man's pattern, is the type of unselfishness."
"Well," said the banker, taking up his paper, "I am open to conviction."
The sun was shining when they arrived at the pretty station, and they all stopped on the platform to listen a moment to the organ note of the sea. As they waited, a wagon drove up, and a young fellow jumped out and ran towards them.
"It's—it's—Dick! Dick who used to walk on crutches!" cried Ethelwyn, fairly rubbing her eyes in astonishment.
There were no signs of lameness now in this tall youth, and his face was radiant with happiness. He could not speak for a moment, as he shook hands with those whom he knew, and of whom he had almost constantly thought with heartfelt gratitude.
"My sakes! Aren't you mended up well, though?" said Beth, walking around him admiringly.