"I was a boy here years ago,
and there was one boy, brilliant at games and work, whom I admired very
much, and by the time I had myself reached a high position he came back
to us as a monk. I used to live in a little village, just behind that
hill, and I used to ask him down to supper sometimes. And I remember one
day my father said to him: 'You know, I envy you a lot.'

"'Why?' he asked.

"'Well,' said my father, 'as far as this world is concerned you are well
provided for. You live in beautiful surroundings, comfortable and happy.
And for the next world, as far as we know, no one could be more certain
of happiness than you.'

"The young monk looked at my father rather curiously, and said:

"'Perhaps so; but when I look round at your happy little family and your
home interests, I think we have given up a good deal.'

"And only a year later that young man ran away with a girl in the
village, and he was excommunicated from the Church. And yet I expect
that the whole time he really loved our life best; only the call of
worldly things was too strong; and he was too weak."

"Then what will be the end of me?" asked Gordon.

"Wait, my son. I waited a long time before I knew for certain that God's
way was best, and that the things men worshipped were vain. Those are
the most fortunate, perhaps, who can see the truth at once, and go out
into the world spreading the truth by the influence of a blameless life.
But we are not all so strong as that. It takes a long time for us to be
quite certain; and even then we have to come and shut ourselves away
from the world. We are too weak. But we have our place. And in the end
you, too, I expect, will so probe the happiness and grief of the world
and find them of little value, and when you have, you will find the Holy
Church waiting for you. It does not matter when or how you come; only
you must bring yourself wholly. It is not so very much we ask of you.
And we give with so infinite a prodigality."

"Yes," said Gordon, "I suppose there will be rest at last."

That evening as he sat discussing the cricket match with Morgan the
captain of the school came in and gave him his "Firsts." Morgan was
profuse with congratulations. Everyone seemed pleased. It was the hour
he had long pictured in his imagination--the hour when he should get
his coveted "Firsts." He himself had wanted them so badly; but somehow
or other they did not mean very much just now.

CHAPTER V: THE THINGS T