"That's just it," said Dr. Lavendar. "He doesn't. But I tell you what it is, Algy, it is painful enough to just have your Saviour tell you your sins when you're sitting all alone--or, maybe, lying awake in the dark; that's a dreadful time to hear them. It's worse than having rows of people listening." Algernon nodded. "Maybe you're right," he said, sighing. The birth of a soul is a painful process. But when he went away Dr. Lavendar's eyes were full of hope. And he grew more hopeful when, as the next year came round and Algernon again asked for extension, he was able to carry back, not only the note and the interest to John Gordon, but a payment of $24. What that $24 meant of self-denial and perseverance Dr. Lavendar knew almost as well as Algy himself. "I don't know whether you meant it, John," he said, as the old man took the note and locked it up in the japanned box--"I don't know that it was your intention, but I believe the responsibility of debt is going to make a man of Mary's husband." "Debt doesn't generally work that way," Mr. Gordon said. "No; it doesn't. But He maketh the wrath of man to praise Him, once in a while, Johnny." "It's nothing to me. I'm done with him." "'If the court knows itself, which it think it do,'" said Dr. Lavendar, chuckling, "you're just beginning with him." "I'd rather have him decent, if that's what you mean. But I despise him." "I don't," said Dr. Lavendar. "I tell you, John, we're poor, limited critters, you and I. We felt that no good could possibly come out of Nazareth. I must confess that when I got you to send him that money I was thinking more of the benefit to you than any effect it might have on him. I thought he didn't amount to two cents. To my shame I say it. But I was blind as a bat; the Lord had sent him a great experience--_Mary's death_. Well, it was like a clap of thunder on a dark night; the lightning showed up a whole landscape I didn't know. There was honesty; and there was perseverance; and there was love, mind you, most of all. Love! I tell you, Johnny, only the Lord knows what is lying in the darkness of human nature. In fact," said Dr. Lavendar, reflectively, "as I get older there is nothing more constantly astonishing to me than the goodness of the Bad;--unless it is the badness of the Good. But that's not so pleasant. No, sir; I don't despise Mr. Keen." Nor did he despise Algy when the note had to be extended still again, although again Algy was ready not only with the interest, but with $37.50 of the principal. VI