“On account of Mr. Wygant, sir.”
“What of that?”
Samuel had meant to say—“He is to be my father-in-law.” But at the last moment some instinct told him that it might be best to let Miss Gladys make that announcement at her own time. So instead he said, “I am thinking of Sophie.”
“It is not quite the same,” said the doctor; and then he repeated his question, “What do you want me to do?”
“Truly, I don't know!” protested the boy. “I am groping about to find what is right.”
“But you must have some idea in coming to me!” exclaimed the other anxiously. “Do you want me to expose my brother-in-law and drive him from the church?”
“I suppose,” said Samuel gravely, “that he would be sent to prison. But I certainly don't think that he should be driven from the church at least not unless he is unrepentant. First of all we should labor with him, I think.”
“And threaten him with exposure?”
“I'll tell you, doctor,” said the boy quickly. “I've been thinking about this very hard; and I don't think it would do much good to expose and punish any one. That only leads to bitterness and hatred—and we oughtn't to hate any person, you know.”
“Ah!” said the doctor with relief.