"Peace, children," said the old man tranquilly. "It is my duty, and I have no misgivings. I thank thee, Rolf, and you, my people, for your thought of me, but your kindness cannot alter the thing that is right. I accept the embassage, and this evening I go to the Valdens. And as for thee, Rolf, my friend, since thou dost not commence thy journey until the morrow, come thou and sup with Tonie and Blonda Reuss and me, and take care, during my absence afterwards, of these lambs of my flock, who must be left no longer unshepherded, a prey to the prowling wolf of the night."
After supper, good Pastor Oshart was about to set out on his unpleasant errand, when Blonda came down the stairs with her cloak and hood on.
"What is this, child?" asked the old man. "Whither goest thou so late? Why, it is time almost that all good little maids were asleep."
"I would go with you, dear pastor," replied Blonda, smiling up in his face.
"With me, little one? Nay, that must not be. Knowest thou whither I am bound?"
"Yes, surely," said Blonda. "You go to the Valdens."
"And that is no place for thee, my lamb; stay here with Tonie and my good Rolf till I return. Go, take off thy things, Blonda."
"They said you might be in danger, dear pastor," sobbed Blonda, "and I thought I might perhaps help you. Or if I could not help—being so small—at least I could share your danger, as my dear father would have done had he been here. It is so hard you should go all alone."
"Little one, I am not alone," replied the old man, smiling. "Knowest thou not, Blonda, that they who are in the path of duty have ever with them the presence of Him, the Beloved, who said to His disciples in the old time, 'Lo, I am with you alway'?
"So, my child, fear not for me. What, must I pray for thee as Elisha prayed for his servant, that thine eyes may be opened, and that thou mayest see that they which are with me are more than those which are against me? Nay, my dear little maid, wipe away those tears, but pray that I, thine old pastor, may speak wise words and brave and true, giving a message, not only from the people of Carfoos, but from Him Whose I am and Whom I serve."