"Think what a terrible thing it would be for St.
Matthew's!"
"It is much worse as it is," said the boy. "For people hear the story,
and they say that the church is sheltering evil doers."
"Think what a burden you place upon me!" cried the clergyman in
distress. "A member of my own family!"
"It is just as hard for me," said Samuel quickly.
"In what way?"
"On account of Mr. Wygant, sir."
"What of that?"
Samuel had meant to say--"He is to be my father-in-law." But at the
last moment some instinct told him that it might be best to let Miss
Gladys make that announcement at her own time. So instead he said, "I
am thinking of Sophie."
"It is not quite the same," said the doctor; and then he repeated his
question, "What do you want me to do?"
"Truly, I don't know!" protested the boy. "I am groping about to find
what is right."
"But you must have some idea in coming to me!" exclaimed the other
anxiously. "Do you want me to expose my brother-in-law and drive him
from the church?"
"I suppose," said Samuel gravely, "that he would be sent to prison.
But I certainly don't think that he should be driven from the church
at least not unless he is unrepentant. First of all we should labor
with him, I think."
"And threaten him with exposure?"
"I'll tell you, doctor," said the boy quickly. "I've been thinking
about this very hard; and I don't think it would do much good to
expose and punish any one.
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