foretasted. Stanislaus looked forward just that way to the Great
Vacation, to going Home forever. He knew that even the longest
life. ends soon, that all its difficulties and troubles pass away
and eternity begins; and he felt so light-hearted looking ahead to
that eternity that nothing happening here could sadden him - except
sin, and he kept away from that.

Paul and his boisterous fellows thought that Paul's younger brother
was a queer chap. But they liked him, just the same, because he was
always pleasant and smiling. He never said a word to them about
their conduct. But when they talked to him, he naturally spoke of
the things he was always thinking about. And they did not like
that. Such talk tended to stir up their consciences, even to
frighten them. And they did not want their con-sciences stirred up.
You can often see that. You may have noticed in yourself that, if
you are not living as you ought to live, any word about God or death
or heaven or our Blessed Lady irritates you, makes you feel horribly
uncomfortable. And so Stanislaus became a puzzle to them, because
they would not see. And little by little they left him alone, or
only spoke to him to tease him or make fun of him.


CHAPTER VII

THE TEST OF COURAGE

Paul was the worst at this teasing; nor did it stop at mere teasing.
He was not a really bad fellow, but he was selfish, set upon having
his own will in everything, and had a very quick and fierce temper.
Stanislaus' quiet refusal to join in the noisy revels of himself and