Thenthecongregationhadathrill。InthebackseatroseHarryHobbs。
\"I’mnearfortyyearsold，\"hecried，inahighnasaltonethatindicatedastateofextremenervoustension，\"andIneverspokeinmeetin’before。Iain’thadnouseforchurchesandpreachers，andIguesstheyhadn’tnouseforme。Youfolksallknowme。I’vebeeninthisburgforneareightyears，andIwasadrinkin’，swearin’，fightin’cuss。ThispreachercameintothebarnonedaywhenIwasfreezin’todeathafterabigspree。Hetukmehomewithhimandkep’metherefortwoweeks，settin’upnightswithme，too。Letmebe，\"hesaidimpatientlytoBarry，whowastryingtopullhimdowntohisseat。\"I’magoin’tospeakthistimeifitkillsme。ManyatimeIdonehimdirtsencethen，buthestucktome，andneverquittillhegotmeturned’round。Iwasgoin’
straighttohell；hesaysI’mgoin’toheavennow。\"Herehelaughedwithatouchofscorn。\"Idunno。But，bygum！ifyoufirehimanddohimdirt，Idon’tknowwhat’llbecomeofme，butIguessI’llgostraighttohellagain。\"
\"No，Harry，noyouwon’t。You’llkeeprighton，Harry，straighttoheaven。\"Itwasthepreacher’svoice，fullofcheeryconfidence。
Mrs。Inneswasaudiblysniffling；Mrs。StewartDuffwipinghereyes。Itwasdoubtlessthissightthatbroughtherhusbandtohisfeet。
\"Idon’tquiteknowwhatthetroubleishere，\"hesaid。\"I
understandtherearearrears。Iheardsomecriticismoftheminister’spreaching。Ican’tsayIcaremuchforitmyself，butI
wanttosayrightherethatthereareotherthingswantedinaminister，andthisyoungfellowhasgotsomeofthem。Ifhestays，hegetsmymoney；ifhedoesn’t，nooneelsedoes。I’llmakeyougentlemenwhoarekickingaboutfinancesasportingproposition。
I’mwillingtodoublemysubscription，ifanyothertenmenwillcovermyante。\"
\"I’llcallyou，\"saidNeilFraser，\"andI’llraiseyouone。\"
\"I’mwillingtomeetMr。DuffandMr。Fraser，\"saidMissQuigg，risingfrombehindherorganwithatriumphantsmileonherface。
\"Iain’tgotmuchmoney，\"saidHarryHobbs，\"butI’llgoyoujusthalfwhatIearnifyou’llmeetmeonthatproposition。\"
\"Ahmaysay，\"saidMr。Innes，yieldingtohiswife’svigorousvocalandphysicalincitations，\"A’mprepair—r—edtomak’asubstantialincreaseinmysubscreeption——thatis，ifnecessary，\"headdedcautiously。
ThenBarrycameforwardfromthebackofthechurchandstoodbeforetheplatform。Afterlookingthemoverforafewmomentsinsilence，hesaid，inavoiceclear，quiet，butwitharinginitthatmadeitechoineveryheart：
\"Haditnotbeenfortheselastspeeches，itwouldhavebeenunnecessarytoallowthemotiontogobeforeyou。IcouldnothaveremainedwhereIamnotwanted。ButnowIampuzzled，Iconfess，I
amreallypuzzledtoknowwhattodo。Iamnotagreatpreacher，I
know，butthenthereareworse。Idon’t，atleastIthinkIdon’t，talknonsense。AndIamnotwhatMr。McFettridgecallsa’goodmixer。’Ontheotherhand，IthinkMr。Innesisrightwhenhesaysthebairnslikeme；atleast，itwouldbreak\"——hepaused，hislipquivering，thenhewentonquietly——\"itwouldbeveryhardtothinktheydidn’t。\"
\"Theydothat，then，\"saidMrs。Innes，emphatically。
\"Soyousee，itisreallyverydifficulttoknowwhattodo。I
wouldhatetogoaway，butitmightberighttogoaway。Isuggestyouletmehaveaweektothinkitover。Canyouwaitthatlong？\"
Hishandsome，boyishface，alightwithafineglowofearnestnessandsincerity，madeirresistibleappealtoallbutthosewhoforpersonalreasonswereopposedtohim。
\"Yousee，\"hecontinued，inatoneofvoicedeliberativeandquitedetached，\"thereareanumberofthingstothinkabout。Thosearrears，forinstance，arehardlymyfault——atleast，notaltogether。
Iwaslookingoverthetreasurer’sbookstheotherday，andIwassurprisedtofindhowmanyhadapparentlyquiteforgottentopaytheirchurchsubscription。Itisnodoubtjustanoversight。Forinstance，\"headded，intheconfidentialtoneofoneimpartinginterestingandvaluableinformation，\"youwillbesurprisedtolearn，Mr。Duff，thatyouaretwenty—fivedollarsbehindinyourpayments。\"
AtthisNeilFraserthrewbackhisheadwithaloudlaugh。
\"Touche！\"hesaid，inajoyousundertone。
Theministerlookedathiminsurprise，andwenton，\"AndwhileMr。
InnesandMissQuiggarebothpaidupinfull，Mr。Hayeshasapparentlyneglectedtopayhislastquarter。\"
\"Hithimagain，\"murmuredHarryHobbs，whileMr。Hayesroseinvirtuousindignation。
\"Iprotest，Mr。Chairman！\"hecried，\"againstthesepersonalities。\"
\"Oh，youquitemistakeme，Mr。Hayes，\"saidthepreacher，\"thesearenotpersonalities。Iamsimplyshowinghoweasyitisforarrearstoarise，andthatitmaynotbemyfaultatall。Ofcourse，itmayberightformetoresign。Idon’tknowaboutthatyet，butIwanttobeverysure。Itwouldbeeasiertoresign，butIdon’twanttobeaquitter。\"
\"Imoveweadjourn，\"saidNeilFraser。
\"Isecondthemotion，\"saidStewartDuff。Themotionwascarried，andthemeetingadjourned。
Atthedoortheministerstoodshakinghandswithallastheypassedout，makingnodistinctionintheheartinesswithwhichhegreetedallhisparishioners。ToMissQuigg，however，hesaid，\"Thankyou。Youweresplendidlyplucky。\"
\"Nonsense！\"criedthelittlelady，thecolourflaminginherfadedcheeks。\"But，\"sheaddedhastily，\"youdidthatbeautifully，andhedeservedit，thelittlebeast！\"
\"Solarplexus！\"saidNeilFraser，whowasimmediatelybehindMissQuigg。
Theministerglancedfromonetotheotherinperplexity，astheypassedoutofthedoor。
\"But，youknow，Iwasonly——\"
\"Oh，yes，weknow，\"criedMissQuigg。\"Butifthosemenwouldonlytakehold！Oh，thosemen！\"SheturneduponNeilFraserandshookherheadathimviolently。
\"Iknow，MissQuigg。Weareahopelessandhelplesslot。Butwe’regoingtoreform。\"
\"Youneedto，badly，\"shesaid。\"Butyouneedsomeonetoreformyou。LookatMr。Duffthere，howvastlyimprovedheis，\"andshewavedherhandtothatgentleman，whowasdrivingawaywithhiswifeintheirbuckboard。
\"Heisaperfectdear，\"sighedMrs。Duff，asshebowedtotheminister。\"Andyou，too，Stewart，\"sheadded，givinghisarmalittlesqueeze，\"yousaidjusttherightthingwhenthosehorridpeopleweregoingtoturnhimout。\"
\"Say！Yourpreacherisn’tsobadafterall，\"saidherhusband。
\"Wasn’tthataneatoneforoldHayes？\"
\"Herathergotyou，though，Stewart。\"
\"Yes，hedid，byJove！Notthefirsttime，either，he’sdoneit。
ButImustlookafterthat。Say，he’sthelimitforfreshnessthough。Orisitfreshness？I’mnotquitesure。\"
\"Willhestaywithus？\"saidhiswife。\"Ireallydohopehewill。\"
\"Guesshe’llstayallright。Hewon’tgiveuphisjob，\"saidherhusband。
ButnextweekprovedMr。Duffapoorprophet，fortheministeraftertheserviceinformedhispeoplethathehadcometotheconclusionthatanothermanmightgetbetterresultsasministerofthecongregation；hehadthereforehandedinhisresignationtothePresbytery。
Itwasashocktothemall，butheadheredtohisresolutioninspiteoftearfullamentationsfromthewomen，wide—eyedamazementanddismayfromthebairnsofthecongregation，andindignation，loudlyexpressed，fromNeilFraserandStewartDuff，andothersoftheirkind。
\"Well，\"saidMissQuigg，strugglingwithindignanttears，asshewaspassingoutofthechurch，\"youwon’tseeHarryHobbsinthischurchagain，norme，either。\"
\"Oh，yes，MissQuigg，Harryhaspromisedmethathewillstickbythechurch，andthathewillbethereeverySunday。Andsowillyou，dearMissQuigg。Iknowyou。Youwilldowhatisright。\"
Butthatlittlelady，withherheadveryerectandaredspotburningineachfadedcheek，passedoutofthechurchsayingnothing，theplumesonherjauntylittlehatquiveringdefianceandwrathagainst\"thosemen，whohadsolittlespunkastoallowalittlebeastlikeHayestorunthem。\"
CHAPTERV
THEWARDRUMCALLS
\"Well，dad，\"saidBarrynexteveningastheyweresittinginthegardenaftertea，\"IfeelsomethinglikeMohammed’scoffin，detachedfromearthbutnotyetascendedintoheaven。It’sunpleasanttobeoutofajob。IconfessIshallalwayscherishamoreintelligentsympathyhenceforthforthegreatunemployed。Butcheerup，dad！Youaretakingthisthingmuchtooseriously。Theworldiswide，andthereissomethingwaitingmethatIcandobetterthananyoneelse。\"
Butthefatherhadlittletosay。Hefeltbitterlythehumiliationtowhichhissonhadbeensubjected。
Barryrefusedtoseethehumiliation。
\"WhyshouldInotresignifIdecideitismydutysotodo？Andwhy，ontheotherhand，shouldnottheyhavetherighttoterminatemyengagementwiththemwhentheysodesire？That’sdemocraticgovernment。\"
\"ButgoodLord，Barry！\"burstouthisfather，withquiteanunusualdisplayoffeeling；\"tothinkthatagentlemanshouldholdhispositionatthewhimofsuchwhippersnappersasHayes，Boggsethocgenusomne。Andmorethanthat，thatIshouldhavetoacceptasmyministeramanwhowouldbethechoiceofcattlelikethat。\"
\"Afterall，dad，weareruledbymajoritiesinthisageandinthiscountry。Thatisatoncethegloryandthedangerofdemocraticgovernment。Thereisnobetterwaydiscoveredasyet。Andbesides，Icouldn’tgoonhere，dad，preachingSundayafterSundaytopeoplewhoIfeltwereallthetimesaying，’He’snogood’；topeople，inshort，whocouldnotprofitbymypreaching。\"
\"Becauseithadnopep，eh？\"saidhisfatherwithbitterscorn。
\"Doyouknow，dad，Ibelievethat’swhatiswrongwithmypreaching：ithasn’tgotpep。Whatpepis，onlytheinitiatedknow。Butthelongandtheshortofthisthingis，itisthepeoplethatmustbesatisfied。Itistheywhohavetostandyourpreaching，theywhopaythepiper。Butcheerup，dad，Ihavenofearforthefuture。\"
\"NorhaveI，myboy，nottheslightest。Ihopeyoudidnotthinkforamoment，myson，\"headdedwithsomedignity，\"thatIwasindoubtaboutyourfuture。\"
\"No，no，dad。Webothfeelalittlesorenaturally，butthefutureisallright。\"
\"True，mydearboy，true。Iwasforgettingmyself。Asyousay，theworldiswideandyourplaceiswaiting。\"
\"Hello！herecomesmyfriend，Mr。Duff，\"saidBarryinalowvoice。
\"HewasreadytothrowMr。McFettridgeoutofthemeetingyesterday，bodyandbones。Awfullyfunny，ifithadn’tbeeninchurch。Wonderwhathewants！Seemsinabitofahurry。\"
Buthurryornot，itwasafullhourbeforeMr。Duffintroducedhisbusiness。Asheenteredthegardenhestoodgazingabouthiminamazedwonderanddelight，andthathourwasspentincompanywithMr。Dunbar，exploringthegarden，Barryfollowingbehindlostinamazementatthenewphaseofcharacterdisplayedbytheirvisitor。
\"Ihavenothadsuchadelightfulevening，Mr。Dunbar，foryears，\"
saidDuff，whentheyhadfinishedmakingtheroundofthegarden。
\"Ihaveheardaboutyourgarden，butIhadnoideathatitheldsuchawealthandvarietyoftreasures。Ihadsomethingofagardenmyselfintheoldcountry，butherethereisnotimeapparentlyforanythingbutcattleandhorsesandmoney。ButifyouwouldallowmeIshouldgreatlyliketohavethepleasureofbringingMrs。Dufftoseeyourbeautifulgarden。\"
Mr。DuffwasassuredthattheDunbarswouldhavethegreatestpleasureinreceivingMrs。Duff。
\"Dobringher，\"saidBarry，\"andwecanhavealittlemusic，too。
Sheismusical，Iknow。Ihearhersinginchurch。\"
\"Music！Why，shelovesit。Butshedroppedhermusicwhenshecamehere；thereseemedtobenotime，notime，notime。Iwondersometimes——Well，Imustgetatmybusiness。Itisthisletterthatbringsme。ItisfromanAmericanwhomyouknow，atleast，heknowsyou，aMr。OsborneHowlandofPittsburgh。\"
Mr。Dunbarnodded。
\"HeisplanningabigtripupthePeaceRivercountryprospectingforoilandmines，andlaterhunting。Hesaysyouandyoursonengagedtoaccompanyhim，andheasksmetocompletearrangementswithyou。IamgettingJimKnighttolookaftertheoutfit。YouknowJim，perhaps。HerunstheLonePineranch。Finechapheis。
Knowsallaboutthehuntingbusiness。Takesapartyintothemountainseveryyear。He’lltakeTomFieldingwithhim。Idon’tknowFielding，butKnightdoes。Mr。Howlandsaystherewillbethreeoftheirparty。Fartoomany，butthat’shisbusiness。I
myselfamratheranxioustolookaftersomeoildeposits，andthiswillbeagoodchance。Whatdoyousay？\"
Fatherandsonlookedateachother。
\"Itwouldbefine，ifwecouldmanageit，\"saidMr。Dunbar，\"butmyworkissopressingjustnow。Agreatmanyarecomingin，andIamaloneintheofficeatpresent。Whendoesheproposetostart？\"
\"Insixweeks’time。Ihopeyoucancome，Mr。Dunbar。Icouldn’thavesaidsoyesterday，butIcannow。Anymanwithagardenlikethis，theproductofhisownplanningandworking，isworthknowing。SoIdohopeyoucanbothcome。Bytheway，Knightwantsacamphand，akindofroustabout，whocancook——ahandyman，youknow。\"
\"Ihavehim，\"saidBarry。\"HarryHobbs。\"
\"Hobbs？Boozesabit，doesn’the？\"
\"Notnow。Hasn’tforsixmonths。He’sanewman。Icanguaranteehim。\"
\"Youcan，eh？Well，myexperienceisonceaboozeralwaysaboozer。\"
\"Oh，\"saidBarry，\"Hobbsisdifferent。Heisamemberofourchurch，youknow。\"
\"No，Ididn’tknow。ButIdon’tknowthatthatmakesmuchdifferenceanyway，\"saidDuffwithalaugh。\"Idon’tmeantobeoffensive，\"headded。
\"ItdoestoHobbs，he’saChristianmannow。ImeanarealChristian，Mr。Duff。\"
\"Well，Isupposethereissuchathing。Infact，I’veknownoneortwo，but——well，ifyouguaranteehimI’lltakehim。\"
\"Iwillguaranteehim，\"saidBarry。
\"Letmehaveyouranswerto—morrow，\"saidDuffashebadethemgood—night。
TheDunbarsdiscussedthematterfarintothenight。ItwasclearlyimpossibleforMr。Dunbartoleavehiswork，andtheonlyquestionwaswhetherornotBarryshouldmakeoneoftheparty。
Barrygreatlydislikedtheideaofleavinghisfatherduringthehotsummermonths，ashesaid，\"toslaveawayathisdesk，andtoslopawayinhisbachelordiggings。\"Heraisedmanyobjections，butoneconsiderationseemedtosettlethingsfortheDunbars。Tothemapromisewasapromise。
\"IfIrememberaright，Barry，wepromisedthatweshouldjointheirpartyonthisexpedition。\"
\"Yes，\"addedBarryquickly，\"ifourworkpermittedit。\"
\"Exactly，\"saidhisfather。\"Myworkpreventsme，yourworkdoesnot。\"
HenceitcamethatbytheendofAugustBarryfoundhimselfinthefarnorthernwildsofthePeaceRivercountry，ahundredmilesorsofromEdmonton，attachedtoaprospecting—huntingpartyofwhichMr。OsborneHowlandwasthenominalhead，butofwhichthe\"boss\"
wasundoubtedlyhishandsome，athleticandimpetuousdaughterPaula。Thepartyhadnotbeenonthetrailformorethanaweekbeforeeverymemberwasmovingathercommand，andapparentlygladtodoso。
Thepartywerecampedbyarushingriveratthefootofafalls。
Belowthefallstherivermadeawideeddy，thensweptdowninaturbulentrapidforsomemiles。Thelandingwasasmoothandshelvingrockthatpitchedsomewhatsteeplyintotheriver。
TheunfortunateHarry，whoaftertheday’smarchhadexchangedhisheavymarchingbootswiththeirclinginghobnailsforshoesmorecomfortablebutwithlessclingingqualities，inmakingpreparationfortheeveningmealmadehiswaydownthisshelvingrockofwater。
Nosoonerhadhefilledhispailthanhisfootslippedfromunderhim，andinaninstantthepailandhimselfwereintheswiftlyflowingriver。
Hiscrystartledthecamp。
\"Hello！\"shoutedDuff，withagreatlaugh。\"Harryisinthedrink！
Ineverknewhewassofondofwaterasallthat。You’vegottoswimforitnow，oldboy。\"
\"Throwhimsomething，\"saidKnight。
PastthemranBarry，throwingoffcoatandvest。
\"Hecan’tswim，\"hecried，tearingathisboots。\"Throwhimaline，someone。\"Herandowntothewater’sedge，plungedin，andswamtowardtheunfortunateHarry，who，splashingwildly，wasbeingcarriedrapidlyintotheroughwater。
\"Oh，father，hewillbedrowned！\"criedPaula，rushingtowardacanoewhichwasdrawnupontheshore。BeforeanyonecouldreachhershehadpusheditoutandwassteeringovertheboilingcurrentinBarry’swake。Butafterafewstrokesofherpaddleshefoundherselfdrivenfaroutintothecurrentandawayfromthestrugglingmen。Paulahadhadsufficientexperiencewithacanoetohandleitwithconsiderableeaseinsmoothwaterandunderordinaryconditions，butintheswirlofthisroughandswiftwaterthecanoetookthemanagementofitscourseoutofherhands，andshehadallshecoulddotokeepafloat。
\"ForGod’ssake，men，gether！\"criedBrand。\"Shewillbedrownedbeforeoureyes。\"
\"Comeon，Tom，\"criedJimKnight，swinginganothercanoeintothewater。Aglancehegaveatthegirl，anotheratthestrugglingmen，forbythistimeBarrycouldbeseenstrugglingwiththedrowningHobbs。
\"Getin，Tom，\"orderedKnight，takingthestern。\"Wewillgetthemenfirst。Thegirlisallrightinthemeantime。\"
\"Getthegirl！\"commandedBrand。\"ForGod’ssakegoforthegirl，\"
heentreatedinafrenzyofdistress。
\"No，\"saidKnight，\"themenfirst。She’sallright。\"
\"Here，\"saidDufftoBrand，pushingouttheremainingcanoe，\"getintothebow，andstophowling。Thosemenareindangerofbeingdrowned，butKnightwillgetthem。We’llgoforthegirl。\"
IttookbutafewminutesforKnightandFielding，whoknewtheircraftthoroughlyandhowtogetthebestoutofherinjustsuchanemergency，todrawupuponHarryandhisrescuer。
\"Say，theyarefightinghard，\"saidFielding。\"ThatbloodylittlefoolischokingthelifeoutofDunbar。MyGod！theyareoutofsight！\"
\"Goon，\"roaredKnight。\"Keepyoureyesonthespot，andforHeaven’ssake，paddle！\"
\"Theyareupagain！Oneofthemis。It’sBarry。Theotherisgone。No，byJove！he’sgothim！Holdon，Barry，we’recoming，\"
yelledTom。\"Sticktoit，oldboy！\"
Swiftlythecanoespedtowardthedrowningmen。
\"Theyaregonethistimeforsure，\"criedTom，asthecanoeshotoverthespotwherethemenhadlastbeenseen。
\"Notmuch！\"saidKnight，asreachingoutofthesternhegrippedBarrybythehair。\"Holdhard，Barry，\"hesaidquietly。\"Nomonkeyworknoworyou’lldrownusall。\"ImmediatelyBarryceasedstruggling。
\"Don’ttrytogetin，Barry。We’llhavetotowyouashore。\"
\"Allright，Jim，\"hesaidbetweenhissobbingbreaths。\"Only——
hurryup——I’vegothim——here。\"
Knightreacheddowncarefully，liftedBarrytillhishandtouchedthegunwaleofthecanoe。
\"Nottoohard，Barry，\"hesaid。\"I’lleaseyouroundtothestern。
Steady，boy，steady。Don’tdumpus。\"
\"Allright——Jim——but——he’sunderthewater——here。\"
\"Oh，nevermindhim。We’llgethimallright。Canyouholdonnow？\"saidKnight。
\"Yes——Ithinkso。\"
\"Now，forGod’ssake，Tom，edgeherintotheshore。Seethatlittleeddythere？Swingintothat！You’lldoitallright。
Goodman！\"
BythistimeKnightwasabletogetHarry’sheadabovewater。
Inafewminutestheyhadreachedtheshore，andwereworkinghardoverHarry’sunconsciousbody，leavingBarrylyingonthesandtorecoverhisstrength。AlongfightwasnecessarytobringthelifebackintoHarry，bywhichtimeBarrywassufficientlyrecoveredtositup。
\"Staywhereyouare，Barry，untilwegetthismanbacktocamp，\"
orderedKnight。\"We’lllightabitofafireforyou。\"
\"I’mwarmenough，\"saidBarry。
\"Warmenough？Youmaybe，butyouwillbebetterwithafire，andyouliebesideittillwegetyou。Don’tmovenow。\"
\"There’stheothercanoescoming，\"saidFielding。\"They’llmakeshorealittlelowerdown。They’reallright。Say，she’shandlingthatcanoelikeaman！\"
\"Who？\"saidBarry。
\"Why，MissHowland，\"saidFielding。\"Shewasoutafteryoulikeashot。She’sapluckyone！\"
Barrywasonhisfeetinaninstant，watchinganxiouslytheprogressofthecanoes，whichwerebeingslowlyedgedacrosstheriverinalonginclinetowardtheshore。
\"They’llmakeit，allright，\"saidKnight，afterobservingthemforatime。\"Don’tyouworry。Justliedownbythefire。We’llbebackinajiffy。\"
Inanhourtheywereallsafelybackincamp，andsufficientlyrecoveredtodiscoverthehumorouspointsintheepisode。ButtheywereallfamiliarenoughwiththetreacherouspossibilitiesofroughandrapidwatertoknowthatforHobbsandhisdelivereratleast，therehadbeensomeseriousmomentsduringtheirfiercestruggleintheriver。
\"Anotherminutewouldhavedone，\"saidFieldingtohisfriend，astheysatoverthefireaftersupper。
\"Ahalfaminutewouldhavebeenjustasgood，\"saidKnight。\"I
gotBarrybythehairunderwater。Hewasathislastkick，youbet！Andthatrat，\"headded，smilinggoodnaturedlyatHarry，\"wasdragginghimdownforthelasttime。\"
\"Ididn’tknownothin’aboutit，\"saidpoorHarry，whowaslyingstretchedoutbythefire，stillveryweakandmiserable。\"I
didn’tknownothin’aboutit，oryoubetIwoudn’tha’doneit。I
didn’tknownothin’afterhegotme。\"
\"Afteryougothim，youmean，\"saidFielding。
\"Iguessthat’sright，\"saidHarry，\"butIwouldn’tha’gothimifhehadn’tha’gotmefirst。\"
TheyalljoinedinthediscussionoftheeventexceptPaula，whosatdistraitandsilent，gazingintothefire，andBarry，wholay，drowsyandrelaxed，onablanketnotfarfromherside。
\"Yououghttogotobed，\"saidPaulaatlengthinalowvoicetohim。\"Youneedagoodnight’ssleep。\"
\"I’mtootiredtosleep，\"saidBarry。\"Ifeelratherrotten，infact。Ioughttofeelverygrateful，butsomehowIjustfeelrotten。\"
\"Canonebegratefulandfeelrottenatthesametime？\"saidPaula，makingtalk。
\"Beholdme，\"repliedBarry。\"IknowIamgrateful，butIdofeelrotten。Idon’tthinkIhaveeventhankedyouforriskingyourlifeforme，\"headded，turningtowardher。
\"Riskingmylife？Nonsense！Ipaddled’roundinthecanoeforabit，tilltwostrongmencametotowmein，andwouldhave，ifI
hadallowedthem。Thanktheboys，whogotyouintime。\"Sheshudderedasshespoke。
\"Idothankthem，andIdofeelgratefultothem，\"saidBarry。\"Itwasratheranearthing。Yousee，Ilethimgripme。Ichokedhimoffmyarms，buthesliddowntomythigh，andIcouldnotkickhimoff。Hadtopracticallydrownhim。Eventhenhehungon。\"
\"Oh，don’tspeakaboutit，\"shesaidwithashudder，coveringherfacewithherhands。\"Itwastooawful，anditmighthavebeentheendofyou。\"Hervoicebrokealittle。
\"No，notanend，\"answeredBarry，inaquietvoice。\"Nottheendbyalongway，notbyaverylongway。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？Oh，youarethinkingofimmortality，andallthat，\"saidPaula。\"It’sachilly，ghostlysubject。Itmakesmeshiver。Igetlittlecomfortoutofit。\"
\"Ghostlyitis，ifyoumeanathingofspirits，\"saidBarry，\"butchilly！Whychilly？\"Thenheaddedtohimselfinanundertone：
\"Iwonder！Iwonder！IwishsometimesIknewmore。\"
\"Sometimes？\"criedPaula。\"Always！\"sheaddedpassionately。\"It’sadreadfulbusinesstome。Tobesuddenlysnatchedoutofthelightandthewarmth，awayfromthetouchofwarmfingersandthesightofdearfaces！Ah，Idreadit！Iloathethethoughtofit。
Ihateit！\"
\"Andyet，\"musedBarry，\"somehowIcannotforgetthatouttheresomewherethereisOne，kindly，genial，true，——likemydad。Howgoodhehasbeentome——mydad，Imean，andthatOther，too，hasbeengood。SomehowIthinkofthemtogether。Yes，IamgratefultoHim。\"
\"Oh，God，youmean，\"saidPaula，alittleimpatiently。
\"Yes，toGod。Hesavedmeto—day。’Saved，’Isay。Itisaqueerwaytospeak，afterall。WhatIreallyoughttosayisthatGodthoughtitbestthatIshouldcamp’roundhereforabitlongerbeforemovinginnearer。\"
\"Nearer？\"
\"Yes，intothenearercircle。Lifemoves’roundacentre，inouterandinnercircles。Thisistheoutercircle。Nearerinthere，itiskindlier，withbetterlightandclearervision。’Weshallknowevenasweareknown。’\"Barrymusedon，asifcommuningwithhimself。
\"Butwhenyoumovein，\"saidPaula，andtherewasnomistakingtheearnestnessofhertone，\"youbreaktouchwiththoseyoulovehere。\"
\"Idon’tknowaboutthat，\"answeredBarryquickly。
\"Oh，yesyoudo。Youareoutofallthis，——allthis，\"shesweptherhandattheworldaroundher，\"thisgoodoldworld，allyourjoyandhappiness，allyoulove。Oh，that’stheworstofit；yougiveupyourlove。Ihateit！\"sheconcludedwithvehemencesuddenandfierce，assheshookherfisttowardsthestars。
