"No, sir," said old Treffy; "I'm sure you wouldn't; I could see it in your face, sir, if nowhere else. No, sir, I'd trust you anywhere."
"Now, Treffy," said the clergyman, taking a half-crown from his pocket, "I've brought this for you. You cannot work now, and you need many things you cannot get; I will give you this money to buy them with."
"Thank you, sir," said old Treffy, the tears running down his cheeks; "I can never thank you enough. We are very badly off just now, Christie and me."
"Stop, Treffy," said the clergyman, "it isn't yours yet, you must take it."
Treffy put out his trembling old hand, and took the half-crown, with another murmur of thanks.
"Do you feel that you've got it, Treffy?" said the clergyman.
"Yes, sir, it's here," said old Treffy.
"Are you sure you've got it, Treffy?" said the clergyman again.
"Yes, sir," said Treffy, in a bewildered voice, "I know I have; I don't know what you mean, sir."
"I will tell you what I mean," said the clergyman. "The dear Lord Jesus has come into this room just as I have, Treffy. He has brought a gift for you, just as I did. His gift has cost Him far more than mine cost me; it has cost Him His life. He has come close to you, as I came, and He says to you, as I said: 'Old Treffy, can you trust Me? do you think I would tell you a lie?' And then He holds out His gift, as I did, Treffy, and He says, 'Take it; it is for you.' Now, Treffy, what have you to do with this gift? Just exactly what you did with mine. You have not to work for it, or wait for it. You have just to put out your hand and take it. Do you know what the gift is?"