-perhaps not. Whenever I get a book with anything in it,
somebody says it is not sound."

"And you therefore conclude that a sound book can have nothing in it?"
he asked, smiling.

"Well, most of the new 'sound' books that I have met are just what my
mother and sister like--either dull, or sentimental and trashy."

"Perhaps those that get into popular circulation do deserve some of your
terms for them. Illogical replies break down and carry off some who have
pinned their faith to them; but are you sure that though you have read
much, you have read deep?"

"I have read more deeply than any one I know--women, I mean--or than
any man ever showed me he had read. Indeed, I am trying not to say it
in conceit, but Ermine Williams does not read argumentative books, and
gentlemen almost always make as if they knew nothing about them."

"I think you may be of great use to me, my dear, if you will help me.
The bishop has desired me to preach the next visitation sermon, and he
wishes it to be on some of these subjects. Now, if you will help me with
the book work, it will be very kind in you, and might serve to clear
your mind about some of the details, though you must be prepared for
some questions being unanswered."

"Best so," replied Rachel, "I don't like small answers to great
questions."

"Nor I. Only let us take care not to get absorbed in admiring the
boldness that picks out stones to be stumbled over."

"Do you object to my having read, and thought, and tried?"

"Certainly not. Those who have the capability should, if they feel
disturbed, work out the argument. Nothing is gained while it is felt
that both sides have not been heard. I do not myself believe that a
humble, patient, earnest spirit can go far wrong, though it may for a
time be tried, and people often cry out at the first stumbling block,
and then feel committed to the exclamations they have made."

The conversation was here ended by the sight of Alick coming slowly and
wearily in from the churchyard, looking as if some fresh weight were
upon him, and he soon told them that the doctors had pronounced that
Lord Keith was in a critical state, and would probably have much to
suffer from the formation that had begun where he had received the
neglected bruise in the side. No word of censure of poor Bessie had been
breathed, nor did Alick mention her name, but he deeply suffered under
the fulfilment of his own predictions, and his subdued, dejected manner
e