"Because I should pray for myself every day, and for Bob too; and God hears prayer."
"Yes, but God's people sometimes get very far away from Him; if this Bob should lead you astray, I'd be sorry I ever heard of him."
"I don't feel much afraid," Edward said, speaking this time in a more quiet, less positive tone, "for I never go wrong when I pray often; pray about everything that comes up, you know, and mean what I pray for."
"Humph!" said Mr. Minturn; "that's a good idea; I guess you're pretty safe under that rule."
"Besides," said Edward, reserving one of his best arguments till the last, "I know somebody who would help Bob ever so much,—Mr. Ray would find him out."
Mr. Minturn's eyes grew bright, and he smiled a half sad smile.
"Yes," he said, "that's true enough; Ray can't come near anybody without helping him. Well, write to the boy to come on; we'll try him. Has he anything to come with?"
"Yes, sir, he says he has money enough to get here." And Edward went away glad, for he had begun to be very willing to have Bob there.