“I thought of this in the middle of the night,” explained the boy, when they had started down the street. “It kept me awake for hours. Dr. Vince, I think we ought to convert Master Albert Lockman!” “Convert him?” echoed the other perplexed. “Yes, sir,” said the boy. “He is leading a wild life, and he's in a very bad way.” “Yes, Samuel,” said the clergyman. “It is terrible, I know--” “We must labor with him!” exclaimed Samuel. “He must not be allowed to go on like that!” “Unfortunately,” said Dr. Vince hastily, “it wouldn't do for me to try it. You see, the Lockmans have always been Presbyterians, and so Bertie is under Dr. Handy's care.” “But is Dr. Handy doing anything about it?” persisted the other. “I really don't know, Samuel.” “Because if he isn't, we ought to, Dr. Vince! Something must be done.” “My boy,” said the doctor, “perhaps it wouldn't be easy for you to understand it. But there is a feeling--would it be quite good taste for me to try to take away a very rich parishioner from another church?” “But what have his riches to do with it?” asked the boy. “Unfortunately, Samuel, it costs money to build churches; and most clergymen are dependent upon their salaries, you know.” The good doctor was trying to make a jest of it; but Samuel was in deadly earnest. “I hope,” he said, “that you are not dependent upon the money of anyone like Master Albert.” “Um--no,” said the doctor quickly. “Understand me, please,” went on the other. “It's not simply that Master Albert is wrecking his own life. I suppose that's his right, if he wants to. But it's what he can do to other people! It's his money, Dr. Vince! Just think of it, he has seven hundred thousand dollars a year! And he never earned a cent of it; and he doesn't know what to do with it! Doctor, you KNOW that isn't right!” “No,” said the clergyman, “it's very wrong indeed. But what can you do about it?” “I don't know, doctor. I haven't had time to think about it--I've only just begun to realize it. But I thought if somebody like yourself--some one he respects--could point it out to him, he might use his money to some good purpose. If he won't, why then he ought to give it up.” The other smiled. “I'm afraid, Samuel, he'd hardly do that!” “But, doctor, things can't go on as they are! Right here in this town are people dying of starvation. And he has seven hundred thousand dollars a year! Can that continue?” “No, I trust not, my boy. It will be better some day. But it must be left to evolution--” “Evolution!” echoed Samuel perplexed. “Do you believe in evolution?” “Why,” said the other embarrassed--“what I mean is, that there are vast social forces at work--great changes taking place. But they move very slowly--” “But why do they move so slowly?” objected the boy. “Isn't it just because so many people, don't care?” “Why, Samuel--” “If everyone would take an interest in them--then they would happen quickly!”