Up to a fairer height?
O! Love shall be the teacher,
And God will speed the right.
Let us go down in loving quest
These lowest ones to reach;
God’s heaven has room enough for all,
And His grace is for each.
Dr. Stapleton said very little after reading the verses; he simply congratulated his nephew, and advised him to continue doing that sort of work; but when, after supper, the household had retired, and the two brothers were consulting together in the library, the Doctor spoke of the boy to his father.
“It is a fine thing to have such a son,” he said; “he will be a help and comfort to you, Felix.”
“Perhaps,” was the reply; “but I am afraid of the boy’s judgment. When he comes to know the truth about my circumstances I am afraid he will turn against me. He has strict notions of honour and truth, and I am glad that he should have. But what will he think of me?”