"I honor thee for it, my son. I believe under the same circumstances, I should feel as thou dost. It is a serious question." Kenneth said something in reply that did not reach Esther's ears. She heard her grandfather speaking again: "Yes, she is an unusual woman, as thou sayest. She has always been a delightful character, and Christlike in her purity. She is compassionate and loving because she has always walked in the Master's steps." The two men entered the house, and John Clayton advanced to greet them. "That was a great meeting," he said. "Yes," David Bright replied, "God has touched the hearts of the people." He sat down by his granddaughter, put his arm about her, and drew her to him. "The field is white unto the harvest, Beloved," he said, looking into her upturned face. "I hadn't thought of the harvest yet, Grandfather," she said simply. "We have been getting the soil ready to sow good seed at every opportunity. We are on the verge of the growing time." "Well, well, as you will, little philosopher," he said, releasing her. It was a lovely picture to see the two side by side. The white head of the one suggested a life work near completion; while the golden brown of the other, suggested life's work at its beginning. Happy would it be if godly and beautiful age could give up its unfinished tasks to those who are content to prepare the soil, and sow good seed, intent on the growing time! The social hours in the Clayton home that day were ones to be long remembered. David Bright was a man enriched from many sources. He gave himself to his companions in intercourse as rare as it was beautiful. Conversation had never become to him a lost art; it was the flowering out of the life within. And Kenneth Hastings listened. If _he_ had only had such a father! He was beginning to see it all now,--life's great possibility. At last he was drawn into the conversation. "I hardly know," he responded to a question from David Bright. How many things he now realized he "hardly knew!" How vague a notion he had, anyhow, of many questions affecting the destiny of the human race! He thought aloud: "You see Mr. Bright, I was reared in a worldly home, and I was brought up in the Church of England. My religion is simply a beautiful ritual. But, further than that, I know nothing about it. I never felt any interest in religion until--" here his face flushed "--until your granddaughter came. She found me a heathen--" He hesitated, and glancing toward Esther, caught her glance. How lovely she was! As he hesitated, David Bright finished his sentence, smiling genially as he did so. "And made you a Christian, I hope." "I fear not. I am plagued with doubts." "You will conquer the doubts," responded David Bright, "and be stronger for the struggle. Triumphant faith is worth battling for." "Well," said Kenneth, "I feel that I am adrift on a great sea. If anyone pilots me to a safe harbor, it will be your granddaughter."