"The people are starving! Right here about us--here in Lockmanville!
They are starving! starving! starving! Don't you understand, Dr.
Vince? Starving!"
The doctor wrung his hands in his agitation. "Boy," he exclaimed,
"this thing cannot go on. I cannot stand it any longer!"
"But what am I to do, sir?"
"You are to submit yourself to my guidance. I ask you, once for all,
Will you give up these wild courses of yours?"
"Dr. Vince," cried Samuel, "I cannot! I cannot!"
"Then I tell you it will be necessary for us to part. You will give up
your position, and you will leave the church."
The tears started into Samuel's eyes. "Doctor," he cried frantically,
"don't cast me out! Don't! I beg you on my knees, sir!"
"I have spoken," said the other, clenching his hands.
"But think what you are doing!" protested the boy. "You are casting
out your own soul! You are turning your back upon the truth!"
"I tell you you must go!" exclaimed the doctor.
"But think of it! It means the end of the church. For don't you see--I
shall have to fight you! I shall have to expose you! And I shall
prevail over you, because I have the truth with me--because you have
cast it out! Think what you are doing when you cast out the truth!"
"I will hear no more of this!" cried Dr. Vince wildly. "You are
raving. I tell you to go! I tell you to go! Go now!"
And Samuel turned and went, sobbing meanwhile as if his heart would
break.
Pages:
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208