“Yes.”
“Then, in my opinion, it’s now or never. You’re the person she’s turned to in all this—though I could wish she’d known better than to lean upon an arm of flesh in the day of tribulation—and it’s my belief that if you went to her now, she’d take you.”
“I wish to God I thought so too.”
“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain,” said Uncle Alfred.
He seemed cheered by his own admonitions, and presently Dr. Lucian rose to leave him.
“Are you going to follow my advice?” the old man demanded inquisitively.
“Perhaps I shall. Anyway, I’m very grateful to you for the advice, because I hope it means that you wish me success.”
“I’ve already told you that I wish you success,” Uncle Alfred remarked testily, “but God helps those that help themselves.”
Dr. Lucian went away with the conviction strong upon him that civil speeches were wasted on Mr. Smith.
Within the next two days came the letters that he had known would come.