o do the
work which a few hours' delay had robbed him of years ago; and Mr. Birge
knew very well that opportunities to do the work which had been let
slip, nine years before, came rarely to any man. And he was glad, and he
was going to be very wary and wise, therefore he drew forth his
pocket-book.

"Now what am I to pay you for this excellent lunch?"

"Nothing, sir." And Tode's cheeks fairly blazed with joy.

"Nothing!" answered the astonished customer.

"Yes, sir, _nothing_. I don't charge my minister anything for lunch.
Like to have you come every day, sir."

"Your minister!"

"Yes, sir. Didn't you know you was my minister?" chuckled Tode. "Bless
me, _I_ know it, I tell _you_--known it this long time."

And then ensued a lively conversation, question and answer following
each other in quick succession; and Mr. Birge went through a great many
phases of feeling in a brief space of time. First came a great throb of
joy. The boy is safe the mother's prayer is answered--good measure,
pressed down, running over--not only a temperance boy to the very core,
but a Christian; then a quick little thrill of pain--oh, his work was
done, but his duty had been left undone; the Lord had gathered in this
stray waif, but _he_ was not the servant. Then, first great
astonishment, and afterward humble, _very_ humble thanksgiving. So then
he was the servant after all; the Lord had called him in to help, and
the work was begun on that stormy night, that night over which he had
grumbled, and had doubting, questioning thoughts. Oh, there were a great
many lessons to learn during that long conversation, and the minister
smiled presently to himself over the memory of how he took it for
granted that because the little yellow-haired boy had run away from his
intended care nine years before, he had therefore run away from God;
smiled to remember how carefully he was going to approach this rough,
hardened boy. "Oh well," he said to himself, as he turned from the shade
of the awning, compelled by the press of customers to defer further
conversation, "I shall learn after a time that although the Lord is
gracious and forbearing, and kindly gives me the work to do here and
there for him, he can when he chooses get along entirely without the
help of John Birge."

Nevertheless he did not yet make known the fact of his early
acquaintance with Tode--not so much now that he wanted to keep it to
help in melting the boy's heart, as that he had come