Effie made a sudden movement of some kind, Christie could not tell what, and after a moment she said:
“It would be better for you, John.”
He did not wait to hear more. Soon, however, he came back again.
“And will it be better for you, Effie?” he asked, gravely and gently, yet with strong feeling.
“I must think of many a one before myself in this matter,” she said; and soon after added, “Don’t make this trouble harder to bear, John.”
There was a long silence; but John did not resume his walk, and by and by Effie spoke again.
“Do you never think of your old wish to finish your studies?”
“My father’s death put an end to that,” he answered, sadly.
“I don’t know why,” said Effie. “Of course at the time it must have done so; but you are young, and your brothers are growing up to take your place with your mother and on the farm, and I think it would be like putting your hand to the plough and looking back, to give up all thought of entering the ministry. You have your life before you, John.”
He did not answer.