Chapter 23 - Page 2

gossip of the youth of Monypenny, and he hesitated to answer.

"And if, when you cough, you bring up a tiny speck of blood?"

"I would get a bottle frae the doctor," said Tommy, evasively.

"She won't have the doctor," answered Grizel, unguardedly, and then with
a look dared Tommy to say that she spoke of her mother.

"Does it mean you are dying?"

"I--I--oh, no, they soon get better."

He said this because he was so sorry for Grizel. There never was a more
sympathetic nature than Tommy's. At every time of his life his pity was
easily roused for persons in distress, and he sought to comfort them by
shutting their eyes to the truth as long as possible. This sometimes
brought relief to them, but it was useless to Grizel, who must face her
troubles.

"Why don't you answer truthfully?" she cried, with vehemence. "It is so
easy to be truthful!"

"Well, then," said Tommy, reluctantly, "I think they generally die."

Elspeth often carried in her pocket a little Testament, presented to her
by the Rev. Mr. Dishart for learning by heart one of the noblest of
books, the Shorter Catechism, as Scottish children do or did, not
understanding it at the time, but its meaning comes long afterwards and
suddenly, when you have most need of it. Sometimes Elspeth read aloud
from her Testament to Grizel, who made no comment, but this same
evening, when the two were alone, she said abruptly:

"Have you your Testament?"

"Yes," Elspeth said, producing it.

"Which is the page about saving sinners?"

"It's all about that."

"But the page when you are in a hurry?"

Elspeth read aloud the story of the Crucifixion, and Grizel listened
sharply until she heard what Jesus said to the malefactor: "To-day shalt
thou be with me in Paradise."

"And was he?"

"Of course."

"But he had been wicked all his life, and I believe he was only good,
just that minute, because they were crucifying him. If they had let him
come down.--"

"No, he repented, you know. That means he had faith, and if you have
faith you are saved. It doesna matter how bad you have been. You have
just to say 'I believe' before you die, and God lets you in. It's so
easy, Grizel," cried Elspeth, with shining eyes.

Grizel pondered. "I don't believe it is so easy as that," she said,
decisively.

Nevertheless she asked presently what the Testament cost, and when
Elspeth answered "Fourpence," offered her the money.

"I don't want to sell it," Elspeth