Part 16 (2/2)
”There, wife! what do you think of that?”
”It sounds very well, indeed,” said Mrs. Royden; ”but even if we forget ourselves, we must think of the future of our children.”
”My experience is wide,” answered the old man, smiling, ”and it teaches me that those young people get along the best, and live the happiest, who commence life with little or nothing. Discipline, of the right kind, makes a good disposition; and a good disposition is better than silver and gold.”
Something in the tone in which the words were uttered, or in the old man's simple and impressive manner, struck Mrs. Royden, as well as her husband, very forcibly. And when Mr. Royden added that ”they had always got along better than they expected, so far, and he did not see the wisdom of h.o.a.rding up money for an uncertain future,” she gave a partial consent to the arrangement he proposed.
”That is enough!” he cried, triumphantly; ”I am sick of seeing house affairs rush forward in haste and confusion, whenever we have workmen. I mean to take life easier than I have done; and I see no reason why you should not. What cannot be done easily, let it go undone. Things will come around somehow, at the end of the year. I have to thank you, Father Brighthopes,” said he, ”for a clearer insight into this philosophy than I ever had before.”
The old man's face shone with gratification.
”If I'm to have any girl,” spoke up Mrs. Royden, ”I prefer the Bowen girl, if I can get her.”
”I'll ride right over for her, after breakfast,” replied her husband; ”and Father Brighthopes shall go with me, if he will.”
The old man desired nothing better, and the arrangement was resolved upon.
As soon as breakfast was over, Mr. Royden went to harness Old Bill. He brought him to the door, and inquired for the clergyman.
”He went to his room,” said Sarah; ”shall I call him?”
”No; I will go myself.”
On entering the parlor, Mr. Royden heard a voice proceeding from the bedroom beyond, and paused. A strange feeling of awe came over him. He was not a religious man; but he could not hear the fervent soul of the clergyman pouring itself out in prayer, without being deeply impressed.
He had never heard such simple, childlike, eloquent expressions of thankfulness, gush from human lips. The old man prayed for him; for his family; for the blessings of peace and love to fall thick upon their heads, and for the light of spiritual life to enter into their hearts.
His whole soul seemed to go up in that strong and radiant flood of prayer.
When he ceased, Mr. Royden might have been seen to pause and wipe his eyes, before he knocked at the door. Father Brighthopes opened with alacrity. His face was glowing with unearthly joy, and there was a brightness in his eyes Mr. Royden had never observed before.
XIII.
TALK BY THE WAY.
It was another lovely day,--sunny, breezy, and not too warm for comfort.
As Mr. Royden and the old clergyman rode along together, the former said,
”You seem to have brought the most delightful weather with you, Father.
Everything bright in nature seems to be attracted by you.”
”There is more philosophy at the bottom of your remark than you dream of,” replied the old man. ”Your words cannot be interpreted literally; but the attraction you allude to is real, if not actual.”
”I do not understand you.”
”I mean a bright spirit sees everything in nature bright; it has an affinity for sunny colors. On the other hand,
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