“And now, Sam, the room the kind master has given you is all ready, and I will show it to you if you will come.”
And Longman arose, bade good-night to his hosts, and turned to leave the room, when Mr. Campbell said:
“But perhaps you would like to join us in our evening service.”
Longman bowed in silence, and resumed his seat.
“Yes,” said Elspeth brightly. “Every night and morning since I have been in this house has the minister prayed for my wandering boy’s return, and now that he has come we will give thanks.”
Jennie arose and got the Bible and prayer book and laid them before her father.
And the evening service began.
In the course of it Mr. Campbell did return “earnest and hearty thanks” for the restoration of the widow’s son, and prayed that all wanderers from the spiritual fold of the Lord might likewise be brought back.
When the service was over, Elspeth, after bidding good-night to her friends, took up her candle and showed her boy the way to his bedroom. And soon after the minister and his wife and daughter retired.
The next day was one of those benign autumn days that sometimes revisit us even late in December, to encourage and help us through the winter. The sky was radiantly clear and the sun dazzlingly bright. The many evergreen trees around the parsonage had something like the fresh verdure of early spring upon them. It was a day that any healthy person might have enjoyed the outdoor air without much extra clothing.