d and surprised his friend by his
eagerness to learn.

It was with no design or expectation of teaching on David's part, but it
happened because they both cared about those things, that whenever they
were alone together--on their way to or from any of their many
visiting-places, or in the fields or woods, or while sailing on the
river, the conversation almost always turned on graver matters than
young lads usually care to discuss. It was often the same when Violet
was with them or the mother, and Frank had reason to remember this time;
for out of all these earnest talks and happy influences, there sprang up
in his heart a strong desire to be, as they were, a follower of Christ--
a wish to give himself to Him and to His service--to be His in life and
His in death. And by and by the desire was granted. He who never
refuses to receive those who come to Him in sincerity, received him, and
henceforth he and David were more than friends--they were brothers, by a
bond stronger than that of blood, being joined in heart to Him, of whom
it is said, "He is not ashamed to call" His people "brethren."

Philip did not come to Gourlay, though an invitation was sent him by
Mrs Inglis, and accepted by him. He was very busy in the office in
David's absence, he wrote, but he would avail himself of the first
leisure to come to them. He did not come, however, and they could only
suppose that he was too useful in the office to be spared. They were
very sorry, of course, for his sake and theirs, but the days passed
happily with them. The time to leave came only too soon. Mrs Inglis
decided that it would be better for them all to return to Singleton
together, as the autumn days were becoming short, and it was time to be
thinking of winter arrangements in many things.

The last night came. It was not a night like the last one of Frank's
former visit; but Frank was reminded of that night all the same.
Instead of the rain, and wind, and sleet, that had made that night so
dismal without, and the lights and the fire so pleasant within, there
was a cloudless sky, flooded with the light of the harvest moon, and the
air was so still that it did not stir the leaves of the trees beneath
which they lingered. And yet Frank was in some way reminded of the
night when they read about Hobab, and waited so long for Mr Inglis to
come home. David must have been reminded of it, too, for, by and by,
they heard him speaking to Miss Bethia of old Tim, a