“That I can,” responded Mr. Stewart cheerfully. “First of all, I want the captain of the Ben Ledi paid for our passage hither from where he took us on board. I do not believe he will ask exorbitant rates, but I must tell you that we have had first-class accommodation, and I should not consider $350 too dear. I should object to paying more than that. Secondly, I want you to find us either a vessel that we can charter at a low rate, a schooner, say, to convey us to Norfolk Island, or perhaps for less money you may be able to induce some owner to let his vessel, bound somewhere else among the islands, go out of her way a little to land us there. Lastly, we wish to buy rather a large quantity of goods, tools of various kinds, clothing, books, and above all, a first-class American organ. And I think that is all. Only of course we should like despatch.”
Mr. Oliphant, who had made notes while Mr. Stewart was speaking, turned and replied—
“I think I have all your instructions now, sir, and you may rely upon me to put your business through as soon as I can. And if there is anything else I can do or my wife can do for Mrs. Adams command us. We can and do honour and respect you for your opinions, even though we totally disagree with them. And now perhaps you would like to retire, as it is getting late.”
C. B. looked wistfully at his wife and father-in-law, and then said meekly, but as if he could not help speaking—
“Have you any objection, sir, and Mrs. Oliphant, to our having a little prayer together before we part for the night?”
A look of consternation came over the lady’s face, almost of terror, and she turned appealingly to her husband, who replied immediately, “I’m sure you’ll excuse us. That sort of thing is not at all in our line. This is Liberty Hall and of course you may do what pleases you, but we could not take part in your exercises, it would be hypocrisy.”
C. B. rose at once bowing courteously and saying—“I hope you’ll forgive me for mentioning the matter, I have no wish to intrude our views upon you. Good-night”; and with mutual expressions of good will they separated. But as soon as Mrs. Oliphant and her husband reached their chamber the lady’s indignation broke forth, and she said many bitter things about the impudence of these strangers suggesting such a thing in a house where they were guests.
This difference however did not affect her hospitable attentions to her guests for, as if repentant of her feelings towards them, she really toiled hard during the week of their stay to make them as comfortable as could be, while her husband was certainly as good as his word. So strenuously did he exert himself that by that day week he had arranged everything for them, the goods they needed were all packed in convenient parcels for transshipment, C. B. being the director of this part of the business, and a handy brigantine, the Lady Head, bound to Fiji, was chartered to land them and their belongings at Norfolk Island with the least possible delay.
The morning of their departure broke bright and clear, with a fresh westerly breeze, and they bade Mrs. Oliphant and her three dear children an affectionate and grateful farewell. But nothing could blind them to the fact that she was almost nervously anxious to have them gone, for as she afterwards confessed to a few chosen acquaintances, they made her feel strangely uneasy, made her feel as if she were a godless wicked creature, while all the time behaving themselves with the utmost meekness and courtesy. And they on their part were hungry for the place that C. B. was never tired of telling them about, and reminding them that God might there be worshipped continually without its being thought a strange thing to do, where no one felt bound to dislike you because you admitted that the love of God was the chief factor in your life and where, while living an active happy life with all your God-given faculties in full play there was no brutal collision at every turn with the forces of evil regnant in the world.