It is kind to let us tear you away a
little while from stocks and bonds and experiments."

"I have concluded, Doctor Schoolman," said Hubert gravely, "that there
are interests more important than business or science."

"Quite so--quite so," said Doctor Schoolman. "I am glad you see it.
We cannot afford to give all our attention to the graver pursuits of
life. We need relaxation. 'All work and no play'--you know the old
adage, eh? Ha, ha!"

And the minister laughed an easy, social laugh, not at all boisterous,
but of a mirth well in hand and suited to the occasion.

Hubert looked at him almost with a frown. But we of wider experience
are prepared to forgive the Doctor that he did not recognize the
spiritual as the more important interests which might lead a young man
to a church social. While Hubert debated a reply which should
illuminate Doctor Schoolman as to his real motive, others were pressing
up to take the hand of the minister, and he passed on with his mother
and Winifred. They drifted not far away, and Hubert glanced frequently
at Doctor Schoolman, watching his suave smile, almost catching the
smooth pleasantries that fell from his accustomed tongue--mild,
clerical jests, wherewith he of the pulpit assures him of the pew, "I
am as thou art." Very nice and proper it might all be, but to the one
who longed to hear some word of Him whom he loved with such fresh,
intense earnestness, it was as gall and wormwood.

He turned away and reviewed the whole scene about him. Mrs. Gray and
Winifred were already in conversation with a group of people near him,
and he heard his mother's soft, deprecating voice, as in reply to an
eager storm of questioning. A flush was rising in his sister's face,
and just a touch of iron determination, not unknown to the house of
Gray, settled her shapely lips.

"Brave little soul!" he said to himself as he thought of the offenses,
anent Mrs. Butterworth's party and the choir, for which she must answer
in the court of popular opinion.

Not far from him a group of girls, very smartly dressed, standing in
interesting proximity to a corresponding group of youths, flirted and
giggled with evident enjoyment. A soberer group farther on Hubert
found to be discussing the war situation in the East, as he drew near
in a spirit of investigation. Some one in the party kindly drew him
into their midst, where he joined the conversation for a time. Then
there was a diversion, the new sop