"No, he never mentioned your name; I don't think he even missed you. Mr. Heighington is a young man, Reardon, and has never known what trouble is; but he has a kind heart, and I verily believe that he'll be one of the Lord's people yet."
"May I ask what makes you think so?"
"Because the Lord Jesus is a prayer-hearing and a prayer-answering God, and I have been praying for young Master Frank ever since he was a child."
"It seems to me," said Matthew, "that you have been kept waiting a long while for the answer."
"His ways are not our ways," replied the old clerk, meekly, "nor His time our time. 'Though it tarry, wait for it, for it will surely come.' The Lord's way is ever the best way, and His time the best time."
"Pray for me, too," said Matthew, after a pause, "will you?"
"Surely—surely I will, my friend."
"Pray that I may be well again soon."
"Or, rather," said the old clerk, "that whether you live or die you may be the Lord's."
"I would not talk any more if I were you, Matthew," interrupted his wife, "if Mr. Marshall will excuse my saying so."