"Come away in, Mr. Cameron. It is never too early for friends to come to this house," said Mrs. Finch, her voice showing her great relief.
Long John came in, glanced shrewdly about, and greeted Mr. Finch with great heartiness.
"It's a fine winter day, Mr. Finch, but it looks as if we might have a storm. You are busy with the logs, I hear."Old Donald was slowly recovering himself.
"And a fine lot you are having," continued Long John. "I was just saying the other day that it was wonderful the work you could get through.""Indeed, it is hard enough to do anything here," said Donald Finch, with some bitterness.
"You may say so," responded Long John, cheerfully. "The snow is that deep in the bush, and--""You were wanting to see me, Mr. Cameron," interrupted Donald. "Ihave a business on hand which requires attention.""Indeed, and so have I. For it is--""And indeed, it is just as well you and all should know it, for my disgrace is well known.""Disgrace!" exclaimed Long John.
"Ay, disgrace. For is it not a disgrace to have the conduct of your family become the occasion of a sermon on the Lord's Day?""Indeed, I did not think much of yon sermon, whatever," replied Long John.
"I cannot agree with you, Mr. Cameron. It was a powerful sermon, and it was only too sorely needed. But I hope it will not be without profit to myself.""Indeed, it is not the sermon you have much need of," said Long John, "for every one knows what a--""Ay, it is myself that needs it, but with the help of the Lord Iwill be doing my duty this morning.""And I am very glad to hear that," replied Long John, "for that is why I am come.""And what may you have to do with it?" asked the old man.
"As to that, indeed," replied Long John, coolly, "I am not yet quite sure. But if I might ask without being too bold, what is the particular duty to which you are referring?""You may ask, and you and all have a right to know, for I am about to visit upon my son his sins and shame.""And is it meaning to wheep him you are?""Ay," said the old man, and his lips came fiercely together.
"Indeed, then, you will just do no such thing this morning.""And by what right do you interfere in my domestic affairs?"demanded old Donald, with dignity. "Answer me that, Mr. Cameron.""Right or no right," replied Long John, "before any man lays a finger on Thomas there, he will need to begin with myself. And,"he added, grimly, "there are not many in the county who would care for that job."Old Donald Finch looked at his visitor in speechless amazement. At length Long John grew excited.
"Man alive!" he exclaimed, "it's a quare father you are. You may be thinking it disgrace, but the section will be proud that there is a boy in it brave enough to stand up for the weak against a brute bully." And then he proceeded to tell the tale as he had heard it from Don, with such strong passion and such rude vigor, that in spite of himself old Donald found his rage vanish, and his heart began to move within him toward his son.
"And it is for that," cried Long John, dashing his fist into his open palm, "it is for that that you would punish your son. May God forgive me! but the man that lays a finger on Thomas yonder, will come into sore grief this day. Ay, lad," continued Long John, striding toward Thomas and gripping him by the shoulders with both hands, "you are a man, and you stood up for the weak yon day, and if you efer will be wanting a friend, remember John Cameron.""Well, well, Mr. Cameron," said old Donald, who was more deeply moved than he cared to show, "it maybe as you say. It maybe the lad was not so much in the wrong.""In the wrong?" roared Long John, blowing his nose hard. "In the wrong? May my boys ever be in the wrong in such a way!""Well," said old Donald, "we shall see about this. And if Thomas has suffered injustice it is not his father will refuse to see him righted." And soon they were all off to the meeting at the school-house.
Thomas was the last to leave the room. As usual, he had not been able to find a word, but stood white and trembling, but as he found himself alone with his mother, once more his stolid reserve broke down, and he burst into a strange and broken cry, "Oh, mother, mother," but he could get no further.
"Never mind, laddie," said his mother, "you have borne yourself well, and your mother is proud of you."At the investigation held in the school-house, it became clear that, though the insubordination of both Jimmie and Thomas was undeniable, the provocation by the master had been very great. And though the minister, who was superintendent of instruction for the district, insisted that the master's authority must, at all costs, be upheld, such was the rage of old Donald Finch and Long John Cameron that the upshot was that the master took his departure from the section, glad enough to escape with bones unbroken.
