Richard
suspected that Mr. Cook had expected him to be there, for the sermon
was on the text, "Be thou strong in the faith," and advised all,
especially the young, to stick to their Christian principles, despite
the alluring, but harmful, enticements of the great world around them.
It was a sober little crowd that gathered in the kitchen in the dusk
after supper. Richard was a trifle louder in his manner than usual,
but this was only an effort to cover up the evidence of his real
seriousness.
"You must not forget to write as soon as you arrive and find a stopping
place," cautioned Mrs. Dare for at least the fifth time.
"Yes, and don't forget to tell us all about what happened on the train,"
put in Grace. "I'm sure that in such a long ride as that you ought to
have some kind of an adventure."
"I trust that he does not," returned the mother. "An adventure would
probably mean an accident, and we have had enough already;" and she
gave a long sigh.
"Don't fear but what I'll write," replied Richard. "And if anything
unusual happens I'll put it down."
But all evenings must come to an end, and finally, as the clock struck
ten, the good-night word went its round, and they separated.
No need to call Richard on the following morning. He was up and dressed
at five, and impatient for the start.
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