He stared in silence, occupied with his great
debt; it was like him that that, and not his liberty,
should be first in his mind. We who have not his opportunity
may find it more difficult to decide; but from our private
knowledge of Dr Drummond we may remember what poor Finlay
probably forgot at the moment, that even when pitted
against Providence, the Doctor was a man of great
determination.
The young fellow got up, still speechless, and confronted
Dr Drummond. He was troubled for something to say; the
chambers of his brain seemed empty or reiterating foolish
sounds. He pressed the hand the minister offered him and
his lips quivered. Then a light came into his face, and
he picked up his hat.
"And I'll say this for myself," chuckled Dr Drummond.
"It was no hard matter."
Finlay looked at him and smiled. "It would not be, sir,"
he said lamely. Dr Drummond cast a shrewd glance at him
and dropped the tone of banter.
"Aye--I know! It's no joking matter," he said, and with
a hand behind the young man's elbow, he half pushed him
to the door and took out his watch. He must always be
starting somebody, something, in the right direction,
the Doctor. "It's not much after half-past nine, Finlay,"
he said. "I notice the stars are out."
It had the feeling of a colloquial benediction, and Finlay
carried it with him all the way.
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