There was nothing to draw her mind away from the subject of home. An absolute dearth of letters continued. Euphrasia had written once again, this time to Ken, saying little of herself and nothing of her condition, only begging to know how they all were, especially Mr. Mackenzie. But to her note, posted only the day before, no answer could yet arrive. As she pondered, a favourite motto of her father's wove its measure into the peal of bells, making itself heard with tiring persistency. "A pund o' care winna pay an ounce o' debt—an ounce o' debt—an ounce o' debt—an ounce—an ounce—an ounce o' debt—A pund o' care—a pund o' care winna pay—winna pay—winna pay an ounce—an ounce o' debt." "O dear, I wish I could forget that wretched proverb! And I don't see the sense of it either. One doesn't worry because worrying does any good, but only because one can't help it . . . Ought one to help it? Mrs. Landor would say so. But then she has no cares—at least, none worth speaking about. It is so easy not to be bothered when there is nothing to bother one." "Winna pay—winna pay—winna pay an ounce—an ounce—winna pay an ounce o' debt," persisted the bells. Euphrasia took up the small hymnbook and turned over its leaves with fingers thinner than their wont. Anything to break the line of thought! "If our love were but more simple, We should take Him at His word—" "I've seen or heard that before." "A pund o' care—a pund o' care winna pay—winna pay—an ounce—an ounce—an ounce o' debt—winna pay an ounce o' debt!" "O do stop! Where did I hear those lines before? Somewhere, I know." And straightway she read the hymn:— "Souls of men! why will ye scatter Like a crowd of frightened sheep? Foolish hearts! why will ye wander From a love so true and deep? "Was there ever kindest shepherd Half so gentle, half so sweet, As the Saviour who would have us Come and gather round His feet? "There's a wideness in God's mercy, Like the wideness of the sea; There's a kindness in His justice, Which is more than liberty. "There is no place where earth's sorrows Are more felt than up in heaven: There is no place where earth's failings Have such kindly judgment given. "There is plentiful redemption In the blood that has been shed; There is joy for all the members In the sorrows of the Head. "For the love of God is broader Than the measures of man's mind; And the heart of the Eternal Is most wonderfully kind. "Pining souls! come nearer Jesus, And, oh, come not doubting thus, But with faith that trusts more bravely His huge tenderness for us. "If our love were but more simple, We should take Him at His word; And our lives would be all sunshine In the sweetness of our Lord." [Illustration] CHAPTER X HOW MUCH LONGER?