But another voice had called David Grant away, and he would never respond to words of hers again. The desire of his heart was not disappointed. He had breathed his last in the old home of his family. When the funeral was over and David Grant had been laid to rest with others of his name in the old churchyard at Ashworth, the widow sent for Reuben Roy. He obeyed the summons promptly, wondering what she could want with him. He found her quite calm; indeed, the way she was bearing up under her heavy sorrows was a marvel to every one. But the face she raised as Reuben entered the cottage seemed to him only the more mournful because it showed no trace of tears. "Sit down, Reuben," she said gently; "I want to have a few words with you." Reuben sat down. She did not speak for some moments, and he had time to observe that on the table lay several things which he recognised as belonging to Owen. Amongst them was the handsome Bible which Owen had received as a prize in the Ashworth Sunday-school. How vividly the sight of it recalled to Reuben's mind the day when Owen had received it, and Mr. Howe's parting words to the scholars whom he loved! Poor Owen! If only he had heeded those words! As he thought of Owen's cleverness and the high opinion Mr. Howe and his teacher had formed of him, and the proud hopes for his future cherished by his fond parents, Reuben felt a choking sensation, and it was only by a strong effort that he could keep the tears from rising in his eyes. "You are looking at that Bible," said Mrs. Grant, in low, quavering tones; "they have sent it to me with other things that Owen left behind at the place of business. Ah, my poor lad! If he had but made that Book his guide! And we were proud to think how well he knew it! But it was only head knowledge, and that will not save any one. There was our mistake. Ah, poor lad! It were better he had not been so clever." "He'll come to himself some day, Mrs. Grant," said Reuben. "I can't help thinking he'll come to himself some day, like the Prodigal Son, and turn his face homeward." "God grant he may," she said fervently. "Reuben, I've sent for you because you and Owen were boys together, and I believe you'd have been a good friend to him if he had been willing. God only knows where my boy is now. Sometimes I think he has gone a long way off; sometimes I fancy he may be still in Birmingham. I've had thoughts of going in search of him, for I've little heart to live on at Ashworth by myself now everything is changed. But as like as not I should miss him if I did that, so I think I had better bide here till he comes, as I pray God he may." "I am sure that will be best," said Reuben earnestly. "You must not go away."