Coley stood looking after him for a few moments in silence, and then said to himself, in a voice full of emphasis: "Well, there's just one of his kind and there ain't any other." Then he set out at a run for the Institute.
It was Kate herself who came to answer Ranald's ring.
"I knew it was you," she cried, with her hand eagerly outstretched and her face alight with joy. "Come in, we are all waiting for you, and prepare to be surprised." When they came to the drawing-room she flung open the door and with great ceremony announced "The man from Glengarry, as Harry would say.""Hello, old chap!" cried Harry, springing to his feet, but Ranald ignored him. He greeted Kate's mother warmly for she had shown him a mother's kindness ever since he had come to the city, and they were great friends, and then he turned to Mrs. Murray, who was standing waiting for him, and gave her both his hands.
"I knew from Kate's letter," he said, "that it would be you, and Icannot tell you how glad I am." His voice grew a little unsteady and he could say no more. Mrs. Murray stood holding his hands and looking into his face.
"It cannot be possible," she said, "that this is Ranald Macdonald!
How changed you are!" She pushed him a little back from her. "Let me look at you; why, I must say it, you are really handsome!""Now, auntie," cried Harry, reprovingly, "don't flatter him. He is utterly ruined now by every one, including both Kate and her mother.""But really, Harry," continued Mrs. Murray, in a voice of delighted surprise, "it is certainly wonderful; and I am so glad! And I have been hearing about your work with the boys at the Institute, and Icannot tell you the joy it gave me."
"Oh, it is not much that I have done," said Ranald, deprecatingly.
"Indeed, it is a noble work and worthy of any man," said Mrs.
Murray, earnestly, "and I thank God for you.""Then," said Ranald, firmly, "I owe it all to yourself, for it is you that set me on this way.""Listen to them admiring each other! It is quite shameless," said Harry.
Then they began talking about Glengarry, of the old familiar places, of the woods and the fields, of the boys and girls now growing into men and women, and of the old people, some of whom were passed away. Before long they were talking of the church and all the varied interests centering in it, but soon they went back to the theme that Glengarry people everywhere are never long together without discussing--the great revival. Harry had heard a good deal about it before, but to Kate and her mother the story was mostly new, and they listened with eager interest as Mrs. Murray and Ranald recalled those great days. With eyes shining, and in tones of humble, grateful wonder they reminded each other of the various incidents, the terrors, the struggles, the joyful surprises, the mysterious powers with which they were so familiar during those eighteen months. Then Mrs. Murray told of the permanent results;how over three counties the influence of the movement was still felt, and how whole congregations had been built up under its wonderful power.
"And did you hear," she said to Ranald, "that Donald Stewart was ordained last May?""No," replied Ranald; "that makes seven, doesn't it?""Seven what?" said Kate.
"Seven men preaching the Gospel to-day out of our own congregation,"replied Mrs. Murray.
"But, auntie," cried Harry, "I have always thought that all that must have been awfully hard work.""It was," said Ranald, emphatically; and he went on to sketch Mrs.
Murray's round of duties in her various classes and meetings connected with the congregation.
"Besides what she has to do in the manse!" exclaimed Harry; "but it's a mere trifle, of course, to look after her troop of boys.""How can you do it?" said Kate, gazing at her in admiring wonder.
"It isn't so terrible as Harry thinks. That's my work, you see, said Mrs. Murray; "what else would I do? And when it goes well it is worth while.""But, auntie, don't you feel sometimes like getting away and having a little fun? Own up, now.""Fun?" laughed Mrs. Murray.
"Well, not fun exactly, but a good time with things you enjoy so much, music, literature, and that sort of thing. Do you remember, Kate, the first time you met auntie, when we took her to Hamlet?"Kate nodded.
"She wasn't quite sure about it, but I declare till I die I will never forget the wonder and the delight in her face. I tell you Iwept that night, but not at the play. And how she criticised the actors; even Booth himself didn't escape," continued Harry; "and so I say it's a beastly shame that you should spend your whole life in the backwoods there and have so little of the other sort of thing.
Why you are made for it!"
"Harry," answered Mrs. Murray, in surprise, "that was my work, given me to do. Could I refuse it? And besides after all, fun, as you say, passes; music stops; books get done with; but those other things, the things that Ranald and I have seen, will go on long after my poor body is laid away.""But still you must get tired," persisted Harry.
