“I have read your text-book,” he resumed,
“but with a critical frame of mind that has
been termed ’ecclesiastical and intellectual
pride’”—this with a quizzical
glance at his brother, who nodded back a sharp assent—“and
I could or would find nothing good in it. To
me it seemed atheistic, fallacious, heretical.
You perceive I am not sparing myself in these admissions,”
he interposed, “but I have been doing some serious
thinking during my return voyage, and now I am going
to read that book again; not to criticise, but to
get at its true inwardness if I can.”
“That is a spirit that will surely bring its
own reward,” Mrs. Minturn responded, her face
luminous with admiration for the frank and conscientious
acknowledgment which the man had made.
Mrs. Seabrook turned glad eyes upon her husband.
“And, William, we will have her keep on with
the treatment, will we not?”
“Assuredly; one could never have the heart to
stop the good work, even though one may not comprehend
the method,” he heartily responded, and the
happy wife and mother heaved a sigh of supreme content.
They talked on for a while longer, then Mrs. Minturn
gracefully took her leave and went home to tell Katherine
that another prodigal was on his way to his Father’s
house.
Phillip Stanley’s first demonstration.
A week after the return of Prof. Seabrook, Dr.
Stanley ventured to transfer his patient to his native
city. He was desirous of getting him away before
the general flitting back to Hilton, in order to prevent
awkward meetings and complications.
The young man had improved steadily, and his physician
had found him, as a rule, very patient and tractable.
He avoided talking about himself, and never again
referred to the conversation that had occurred a few
days after his accident. He read a great deal,
conversed freely of politics, current events, etc.,
and evidently tried to cause as little trouble as
possible.
He was often seriously thoughtful, a circumstance
which his observant attendant regarded as a favorable
indication, while, now and then, he would drop a word
that betrayed his appreciation of the rare kindness
he was receiving. In arranging for his transportation
Dr. Stanley neglected nothing that would contribute
to his comfort, and he made the trip without the slightest
inconvenience, although he betrayed a sense of restlessness
as he neared his destination, for he had not even
asked what was to become of him upon his arrival,
and could not quite conceal his anxiety on that point.
When he was lifted out upon the platform at the station,
in his own city, his astonished glance fell first
upon his sister, a sweet girl of seventeen, then upon
his father, both of whom greeted him as if there had
never been a barrier between them.
He flushed a remorseful scarlet and lifted an inquiring
look to Dr. Stanley.
