Before she could do so, the step came down again and Mr. Angus came into the sitting-room holding out his hand as he greeted them.
Both mother and daughter started up to meet him, and Ethel, hearing his voice, came running in, and stood for a moment gazing in wonder. In her childish way she gave expression to their thoughts.
"It's a new Mr. Angus."
"Yes, it is, darling," he said, catching her in his arms. "That other Mr. Angus has gone away, and I hope never to see him any more."
Turning to Mrs. Asbury, he said, "God has been very good to me, and sent me the best of news from an absent friend. I have long mourned her as dead; now I learn that she died in faith, trusting in the blood of Christ to wash away all her sins."
"I am truly glad for you," was her earnest reply.
"The intelligence I have received renders it necessary for me to go to England for a short time. I want to ask your husband's advice concerning arrangements for my pulpit during my absence."
"How long shall you be away?"
"Probably three months."
"You have six weeks' vacation. Why not include those, and get a supply for the rest?"