"They came into the barn—we were in the haymow, and father asked if he was going to explain something, and Boltman laughed kind of funny and said, 'Oh, be reasonable, Artman, you know we are all human.' And father said, and his voice sounded very grim and—like an archangel, or something, and he said, 'Yes, thank God, we are, but some of us have manhood enough to make us good to children and loyal to our friends.' And father said, 'There is something in the Bible about the man who puts a stumbling block in the way of one of His little ones— And you have put a block in the path of faith for one of the children of the church.' And Boltman said, 'Won't you pray with me, Brother?' And father said, 'Yes, in a minute. But first I have to let you know what I think of you.' And father knocked him down— He did that very thing, we were peeking through the cracks, and Boltman's nose bled something awful. Then father got a piece of waste out of the car, and wet it at the hydrant and gave it to Boltman to wipe the blood off, and then he said, 'Now we will pray.' And they knelt down— What did father say in his prayer, Treasure? I was so scared I couldn't hear good."
"He said, 'Oh, God, wash the heart of this man who professes to be thy minister, and teach him loyalty, teach him tenderness, teach him purity!' or something like that. And he said, 'And, dear God, help me to remove that stumbling block from the path of Thy little one.' And then father said, 'Now get out. I will pack your bag and send it to the train for you.'"
"And father struck out through the meadow as fast as he could go, and Boltman wiped the rest of the blood off, and went toward town, and—"
"Whatever in the world do you suppose—"
"We must not ask any questions, girls," said Doris quickly, without glancing at Rosalie's face. "It is something connected with the ministry, and you know those things are sacred to father. So we must not ask about it, but let it pass."
Rosalie's eyes were suddenly very bright, and she turned and ran breathlessly up the stairs. She knew that when her father was ready, he would come to her. And after a time, came father, with a little of shame in his eyes, and a flush on his face.
"And how is the Problem now?" he asked gently.
"All solved," she cried. "A fatherly blow from a strong right arm was the answer."
"I—You—How—"