"'Certainly not.'
"'Do you believe in the Immortality of the Soul?'
"As a teacher of philosophy I am accustomed to leading questions at all sorts of inopportune moments, but never in my life was I so completely taken aback. However, I collected my thoughts as best I could, and, though the subject is one on which I never like to speak without prolonged preparation, I briefly told her my opinions on that great problem, as you may find them expressed in my published works. Possibly I spoke with some fervour; the more likely, because I spoke without preparation. She listened with great attention; and as for the young girl, her face was lit up with a look of intelligent eagerness which, had I seen it for one moment in my own class-room, would have rewarded me for the labour of a long course of lectures.
"I had still much to say when the train drew up at the platform of St Beeds.
"'I'm sorry not to hear more,' said the lady, 'but this is our destination.'
"'And there's Dad!' cried the girl.
"A man in working clothes stood at the carriage-door.
"'Good-bye,' said the woman, warmly shaking me by the hand; 'you have been most kind to me.'
"'Good-bye,' said the daughter; 'you're a dear old dear!'
"And with that she threw her arms round my neck and kissed me fervently three or four times. I was greatly surprised, but not altogether displeased.