ridiculous.

"Then we are both in the wrong place--my brother as well as I! You
must pardon our ignorance of your customs. I saw the men and women
sitting apart, but never imagined the widowers had a particular place
for themselves. Tell us, pray, where we can sit to be among unmarried
fellows like ourselves."

"Nay, my dear sir, remain where you are. The love-feast will soon be
over. Brother Daniel, who leaves us to-morrow, to help Brother Joseph
among the Kaffres, has only to take leave of us before we disperse."

While he was speaking, the whole assembly arose, and one among them
stepped forward. He first advanced to the Sisters, and shook hands
with each one; then passing over to the Brothers, the parting kiss was
given and received. And he who thus bade farewell, ere he followed
Brother Joseph, to share his struggles and hardships, far away from
civilized life, was the identical awkward, ungainly-looking Brother
who, in the morning, had made such an unsuccessful attempt at riding.

There is always an intolerable feeling of moral defeat when we see a
man, whom we have regarded with contempt rise into importance by his
own merit. A noble mind at once acknowledges the fact, but a mean
spirit feels only resentment and spite, with a sense of defeat.

Something like a feeling of shame came over Alexander, as he closely
regarded the man whom he had inwardly despised, but who now seemed like
a hero in his eyes.

Seated at the table, opposite to him were the young sisters and pupils