Mrs. Craig had taken a fancy to Gray at once. Something in his bright manly face had drawn out her confidence, and pointing to John on his sick bed, she said-- "I wonder if you could cheer up my poor lad a bit; he's not so happy as I would like." "How's that?" he asked. "Does he not know the One above as his friend?" "Ah, that's just what he wants, but you know the Lord, don't you? and I've asked Him to send some one here to speak to John, and now He's done it. He's been a good son to me, and he's served the Lord too, but he's not quite at peace now, you understand." "How's that, my friend?" said Gray, sitting down at his bedside. "The Lord surely is faithful?" "He is faithful," slowly answered the sick man, "but I haven't been--I was a wild one once, but I turned to the Lord--and I believe I found the Saviour--and I tried to serve Him--and I taught the young--I always loved the children--but something went wrong in the Sunday School and I turned off, and after that I wandered from Him somehow--I don't right know how. I haven't been faithful to Him, and I might have been a better son to _her_," pointing to his mother. "Never heed that, John," said the mother, eagerly, "I've forgiven all that. You were always an obedient lad to me when you were at home." "I must take the children away now, for the mother is anxious to hear tidings of them, but I'll come in again and perhaps send a friend who can speak to you better than I." "We'll always make you welcome; be sure and come," said John, anxiously. "All right; I'll step in to-morrow and see how you are getting on. Meantime, thank you for taking such kindly care of the children." Harry Gray found it difficult to speak much about sacred things to others, but on turning to leave, he said to John, "Remember, friend, 'The Rock never moves'; that's a comfort to me," and shaking hands all round he started forth with the children. The thought of the perambulator never occurred to Mr. Gray's mind, but poor Ben had not forgotten it. With a great effort he said-- "The coach is up by the wood, I think. I couldn't find it when I started in the storm, and I was afraid Kit would catch cold, so I carried her to the lady's house as quick as I could, but I want to run back to look for it. Can I go?" "Whew--w! Let's hope the 'pram.' isn't lost, Ben. You must have been careless about it. Yes, run back, the storm is over now, and I'll come and meet you. Mother couldn't part with it." No need to tell Ben to run; he scampered away as quick as his legs could carry him. All the branches of the trees and hedges were dripping after the recent shower, and the air was fresh and sweet. In a few minutes he reached the gate leading to the meadow, and the first object that met his eyes was the perambulator; the second object, Jim, sitting beside a bush, pale and frightened, his eyes swollen with crying. He was moaning and holding his knees with both hands, while he rocked backwards and forwards.