whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do. I asked him
always, every hour to take care of Jan. If I was packing the eggs, or
loading the boats, or eating my dinner, my heart was always praying.
When Jan was at sea, I asked, 'take care of him,' when he was at
Torr's, I prayed then the more, 'dear Lord Christ, take care of him.'
I was praying for him that night, _at the very hour he perished_. I
can pray no more now. What shall I do?"

"Art thou sure thou prayed for the right thing?"

"He said, 'whatsoever.' Well, then, I took him at his word. Oh yes, I
believed every word he said. At the last, I thought, he will surely
save Jan. I will pray till his time comes. He will not deceive a poor
soul like me, for he knows right well that Snorro loves him."

"And so thou thinkest that Christ Jesus who died for thee hath
deceived thee?"

"Well, then, he hath forgotten."

"Nay, nay, Snorro. He never forgets. Behold he has graven thy name
upon his hands. Not on the mountains, for they shall depart; not on
the sun, for it shall grow dark; not on the skies, for they shall melt
with fervent heat; but on _his own hand_, Snorro. Now come with me,
and I will show thee, whether Lord Christ heard thee praying or not,
and I will tell thee how he sent me, his servant always, to answer thy
prayer. I tell thee at the end of all this thou shalt surely say:
'there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he
promised.'"

Then he lifted Michael's cap and gave it to him, and they locked the
store door, and in silence they walked together to the manse. For a
few minutes he left Snorro alone in the study. There was a large
picture in it of Christ upon the cross. Michael had never dreamed of
such a picture. When the minister came back he found him standing
before it, with clasped hands and streaming eyes.

"Can thou trust him, Michael?"

"Unto death, sir."

"Come, tread gently. He sleeps."

Wondering and somewhat awestruck Michael followed the doctor into the
room where Jan lay. One swift look from the bed to the smiling face of
Jan's saviour was all Michael needed. He clasped his hands above his
head, and fell upon his knees, and when the doctor saw the rapture in
his face, he understood the transfiguration, and how this mortal might
put on immortality.

CHAPTER VIII.

DEATH AND CHANGE.

"Wield thine own arm!--the only way
To know life is by living."

When Jan awoke Snorro was standing motionle