第80部分(第3/8 頁)

lm　of　domestic　life；　it　is　not　his　element：　there　his　faculties　stagnate—they　cannot　develop　or　appear　to　advantage。　It　is　in　scenes　of　strife　and　danger—where　courage　is　proved；　and　energy　exercised；　and　fortitude　tasked—that　he　will　speak　and　move；　the　leader　and　superior。　A　merry　child　would　have　the　advantage　of　him　on　this　hearth。　He　is　right　to　choose　a　missionary’s　career—I　see　it　now。”

“They　are　ing！　they　are　ing！”　cried　Hannah；　throwing　open　the　parlour　door。　At　the　same　moment　old　Carlo　barked　joyfully。　Out　I　ran。　It　was　now　dark；　but　a　rumbling　of　wheels　was　audible。　Hannah　soon　had　a　lantern　lit。　The　vehicle　had　stopped　at　the　wicket；　the　driver　opened　the　door：　first　one　well…known　form；　then　another；　stepped　out。　In　a　minute　I　had　my　face　under　their　bons；　in　contact　first　with　Mary’s　soft　cheek；　then　with　Diana’s　flowing　curls。　They　laughed—kissed　me—then　Hannah：　patted　Carlo；　who　was　half　wild　with　delight；　asked　eagerly　if　all　was　well；　and　being　assured　in　the　affirmative；　hastened　into　the　house。

They　were　stiff　with　their　long　and　jolting　drive　from　Whitcross；　and　chilled　with　the　frosty　night　air；　but　their　pleasant　countenances　expanded　to　the　cheerful　firelight。　While　the　driver　and　Hannah　brought　in　the　boxes；　they　demanded　St。　John。　At　this　moment　he　advanced　from　the　parlour。　They　both　threw　their　arms　round　his　neck　at　once。　He　gave　each　one　quiet　kiss；　said　in　a　low　tone　a　few　words　of　wele；　stood　a　while　to　be　talked　to；　and　then；　in