At the matter-of-fact tone the other looked at the minister with a curious expression in his blue eyes. The question was evidently not what he had expected. "No," he said, "I have not, but I'm glad I came anyway. Your sermon was mighty interesting to me, sir. I couldn't help thinking though, that these sentiments about work would come a heap more forceful from someone who actually knowed what a day's work was. My experience has been that the average preacher knows about as much about the lives of the laboring people as I do about theology." "I think you are mistaken there," declared Dan. "The fact is, that the average preacher comes from the working classes." "If he comes from them he takes mighty good care that he stays from them," retorted the other. "But I've got something else to do besides starting an argument now. I don't mind telling you, though, that if I could see you pitch wheat once in a while when crops are going to waste for want of help, I'd feel that we was close enough together for you to preach to me." So saying he turned abruptly and pushed his way through the crowd toward a group of working-men who stood near the door. The Doctor had never commented to Dan on his sermons. But, that night as they walked home together, something made Dan feel that his friend was pleased. The encounter with the blunt young farmer had been so refreshing that he was not so depressed in spirit as he commonly was after the perfunctory, meaningless, formal compliments, and handshaking that usually closed his services. Perhaps because of this he--for the first time--sought an expression from his old friend. "The people did not seem to like my sermon tonight?" he ventured. The Doctor grunted a single word, "Stunned!" "Do you think they will like it when they recover?" asked Dan with an embarrassed laugh. But the old man was not to be led into discussing Dan's work. "In my own practice," he said dryly, "I never prescribe medicine to suit a patient's taste, but to cure him." Dan understood. He tried again. "But how did _you_ like my prescription, Doctor?" For a while the Doctor did not answer; then he said, "Well you see, Dan, I always find more religion in your talks when you are not talking religiously." Just then a team and buggy passed, and the voice of John Gardner hailed them cheerily. "Good night, Doctor! Good night, Mr. Matthews!" "Good night!" they answered, and the Doctor called after him, "Did you find your man, John?" "No," shouted the other, "I did not. If you run across anyone send 'em out will you?" "There goes a mighty fine fellow," commented the old physician. "Seems to be," agreed Dan thoughtfully. "Where does he live?" The Doctor told him, adding, "I wouldn't call until harvest is over, if I were you. He really wouldn't have time to give you and he'd probably tell you so." Which advice Dan received in silence.