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“It was singular in my experience; but this young man contrived to speak like a book without being at all offensive.

“‘I was sent out to America,’ he went on, ‘mainly for my health’s sake; and the voyage did wonders for me. Of course I picked up a lot of information on the way and in New York. It was there I first heard of the awful wickedness of the Pacific Slope, the utter, abandoned godlessness of the mining camps throughout the golden and silver states. I had letters of introduction to one or two New England families–sober, religious people–and the stories they told of the Far West were simply appalling. It was then that my call came to me. It came one night–But all this has nothing to do with my health.’

“‘It interests me,’ said I.

“‘It does one good to talk, if you’re sure you mean that,’ he went on, with a happy laugh. Then, with sudden gravity: ‘It came one night–the clear voice of God calling me. I was asleep; but it woke me, and I sat up in bed with the voice still ringing in my ears like a bugle calling. I knew from that moment that my work lay out West. I saw that my very illness had been, in God’s hands, a means to lead me nearer to it. As soon as ever I was strong enough, I started; and you may think me fanciful, sir, but I can tell you that, as sure as I sit here, every step of the way has been smoothed for me by the Divine hand. The people have been so kind all the way (for I am a poor man); and I have other signs–other assurances–‘

“He broke off, hesitated, and resumed his sentence at the beginning:

“‘The people have been so kind. I think the Americans must be the kindest people in the world; and good too. I cannot believe that all the wickedness they talk of out yonder can come from anything but ignorance of the Word. I am certain it cannot. And that encourages me mightily. Why, down in Bellefont they told me that Eucalyptus here was a little nest of iniquity; they spoke of it as of some City of the Plain. And what have I found? Well, the people are indeed as sheep without a shepherd; and who can wonder, seeing that there is not a single House of Prayer kept open in the municipality? There is a great deal of coarse levity, and even profanity of speech, and, I fear, much immoderate drinking; but these are the effects of blindness rather than of wickedness. From the heavier sins–from what I may call actual, conscious vice–Eucalyptus is singularly free. Miss Montmorency, indeed, tells me that in her experience (which, of course, is that of a single lady, and therefore restricted) the moral tone of the town is surprisingly healthy. You understand that I give her judgment no more than its due weight. Still, Miss Montmorency has lived here three years; and for a single lady (and, I may add, the only lady in the place) to pass three years in it entirely unmolested–‘

“This was too much; and I interrupted him almost at random–

“‘You remind me of the purpose of my call. I hope, if only to satisfy Miss Montmorency, you won’t mind my sounding your chest and putting a few questions to you.’

“Seeing that I had already pulled out my stethoscope, he gave way, feebly protesting that it was not worth my trouble. The examination merely assured me of that which I knew already–that this young man’s days were numbered, and the numbers growing small. I need not say I kept this to myself.

“‘You must let me call again to-morrow,’ said I. ‘I’ve a small medicine chest up at the Cornice House, and you want a tonic badly.’