ence, as Raymond in like case had
done; and Miss Ironsyde also drove to see him on several occasions. The
event filled all with concern, for Ernest had a trick to make friends
and, what is more rare, an art to keep them. Many beyond his own circle
were relieved and thankful when he weathered danger and began to build
up again with the lengthening days of the new year.

Abel had been very solicitous on his behalf, and he praised the child to
Jenny and Estelle, when they came to drink tea with him on a day in
early spring.

"I believe there are great possibilities in him and, when I am stronger,
I shall resume my attack on Sabina to go away," he said. "The boy's mind
is being poisoned and we might prevent it."

"It's a most unfortunate state of affairs," declared Miss Ironsyde. "Yet
it was bound to happen in a little place like this. Raymond is not
sensitive, or he would feel it far more than he does."

"He can't do more and he does feel it a great deal," declared Estelle.
"I think Sabina sees it clearly enough, but it's very hard on her too,
to have to go from Mister Churchouse and her home."

"Nothing is more mysterious than the sowing and germination of spiritual
seed," said the old man. "The enemy sowed tares by night, and what can
be more devilish than sowing the tares of evil on virgin soil? It was
done long ago. One hesitates to censure the dead, though I daresay, if
we could hear them talking in another world, we should find they didn't
feel nearly so nice about us and speak their minds quite plainly. We
know plenty of people who must be criticising. But truth will out, and
the truth is that Mary Dinnett planted evil thoughts and prejudices in
Abel. He was not too young, unfortunately, to give them room. A very
curious woman--obstinate and almost malignant if vexed and quite
incapable of keeping silence even when it was most demanded. If you are
going to give people confidences, you must have a good memory. Mary
would confide all sorts of secrets to me and then, perhaps six months
afterwards, be quite furious to find I knew them! She came to me for
advice on one occasion and I reminded her of certain circumstances she
had confided to me in the past, and she lost her temper entirely. Yet a
woman of most excellent qualities and most charitable in other people's
affairs."

"The question is Abel, and I have told Sabina she must decide about
him," said Jenny. "We are all of one mind, and Raymond himself thinks it