molars chatter with the prophetic beseeching. No uttered
petition from bound victim, but unutterable longings of passionate,
helpless hearts and blood lift 'void hands' of imperious need. Earth and
sea abjure allegiance to blind force, affirming endless fealty to human
weal."

Numberless odd ethical impressions grow out of Oswald's peculiar
experiences and inner consciousness. Former intense aspiring confidence
in personal destiny no longer veils visions nor drowns voices then
waiting their appropriate sense.

Uniquely worded sentiments, embodied in his father's sermons and parish
talks, come to mind. Most of these are approved, but some seem strangely
grotesque. To Oswald's tense perception the general tenor is along
severely orthodox lines, but as to occult verities the style appears
flippantly superficial. Many comments upon "rewards of virtue" and
"refined craft in uprightness" seem gayly ironical. Such jar upon
Oswald's strained sense.

Still that larger, if not better, view makes him less exacting. He is
more tolerant of honest, dogmatic assertion, believing it to result from
environment. Early precept and conviction are elements transmuted by
white heat of life's crucible.

Reverend Percy Langdon occupies a conspicuous place in all his son's
plans, contingent on clearance from that horrible menacing shadow
brooding over the stricken home. As to the idolized mother, it is
different. She is left out.

One day the vessel anchors in a European port. Oswald hears the
distinguished-appearing stranger talking about quitting the steamer for
a brief stay. Soon will follow a trip to an English home. There is
boyish enthusiasm at the prospect of a visit with loved ones after
absence of years.

Oswald's straining sense hears no definite clew to the disembarking
traveler's home port. Indistinct mention of some familiar English towns
and scenery makes Oswald very curious, but he must not be inquisitive.
There is renewal of that fathomless homesickness, deep resolve, and high
assurance.

After partial unloading of cargo, taking on of other commodities, and
the booking of a few new passengers, the ship weighs anchor. Long
cruising in continental waters, stopping at numerous unimportant points,
making little steerage exchanges, she anticipates extended voyage, and
heading for the Atlantic, steams for New York.

Now the vessel veers little from direct courses. Late one cloudy
afternoon she rounds Sandy Hook, and after a