ave interrupted the reading, sir," Douglas
apologised. "It was your daughter who brought me here. I do not need
a chair, as I prefer to sit upon the ground."

"I am so pleased that you have come," the old man replied. "You must
have supper with us. We have it out here on the grass when the
afternoon is fine and warm. Come, Nell, get it ready."

"Please do not go to any trouble on my account," Douglas protested.

"It is no trouble," Nell assured him. "It is father's supper time,
anyway. He always like to have it early, especially on Sunday. You
two can have a nice chat together. Come, Nan, I want you."

As Douglas looked around he was surprised to find what a beautiful spot
it really was. The house nestled in the midst of fine elm and maple
trees. Surrounding the house was a garden, consisting of vegetables
and berries of several kinds. Part of the land was in grass, not yet
cut. About the place was a strong page wire fence which extended
almost to the river.

"You have a beautiful place here, sir," Douglas remarked.

"Indeed it is. A happy home and a perfect day; what more could one
desire? 'The Lord hath done great things for us already, whereof we
rejoice'."

Douglas gave a slight start of surprise as the old man slowly uttered
these words. Surely, if he were an unbeliever he would not quote
Scripture in such a reverent manner.

"It is good that you can view it that way, sir. Few people ever think
of being thankful for what they receive."

"That is where they make a sad mistake. I have learned through long
years that Ezra of old was right when he told the people to turn from
weeping and to 'drink the sweet.' Before this blindness came upon me I
was something like Saul of Tarsus, always kicking against the pricks,
or in other words, the dictates of conscience! 'Before I was
afflicted, I went astray,' as the psalmist sang. But I have viewed
things in a different light since then, and though the Father's hand
has been heavy upon me, it was for my good, and for which I am most
thankful. The great Master's warning to Simon is most applicable to
me. 'When thou wast young,' He said, 'thou girdest thyself, and
walkest whither thou wouldest; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt
stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee
whither thou wouldest not.'"

"You are well versed in Scripture, I see," Douglas remarked as the old
man paused.

"And why not? It is the one Bo