Such a son as Cosmo could not listen to such a father saying such things, and not drop the world as if it were no better than the burnt out cinder of the moon.
“When men desire great things, then is God ready to hear them,” he said; “and so it is, I think, father, that he has granted your desires for me: I desire nothing but to fulfil my calling.”
“Then ye can pairt wi’ the auld hoose ohn grutten?”
“As easy, father, as wi’ a piece whan I wasna hungry. I do not say that another mood may not come, for you know the flesh lusteth against the spirit as well as the spirit against the flesh; but in my present mood of light and peace, I rejoice to part with the house as a victory of the spirit. Shall I go to his lordship at once and accept his offer? I am ready.”
“Do, my son. I think I have not long to live, and the money, though little, is large in this, that it will enable me to pay the last of my debts, and die in the knowledge that I leave you a free man. You will easily provide for yourself when I am gone, and I know you will not forget Grizzie. For Jeames Gracie, he maun hae his share o’ the siller because o’ the croft: we maun calculate it fairly. He’ll no want muckle mair i’ this warl’. Aggie ’ill be as safe ’s an angel ony gait. An’, Cosmo, whatever God may mean to du wi’ you i’ this warl’, ye’ll hae an abundant entrance ministered to ye intil the kingdom’ o’ oor Lord an’ Saviour. Wha daur luik for a better fate nor that o’ the Lord himsel’! But there was them ’at by faith obtained kingdoms, as weel as them wha by faith were sawn asunder: they war baith martyrdoms; an’ whatever God sen’s, we s’ tak.”
“Then you accept the two hundred for croft and all, father?”
“Dinna ettle at a penny more; he micht gang back upo’ ’t. Regaird it as his final offer.”
Cosmo rose and went, strong-hearted, and without a single thought that pulled back from the sacrifice. There was even a certain pleasure in doing the thing just because in another and lower mood it would have torn his heart: the spirit was rejoicing against the flesh. To be rid of the castle would be to feel, far off, as the young man would have felt had he given all to the poor and followed the master. With the strength of a young giant he strode along.
When he reached the gate, there was my lord leaning over it.
“I thought you would be back soon! I knew the old cock would have more sense than the young one; and I didn’t want my gate scrambled over again,” he said, but without moving to open it.