youth, with commendable gravity, "but I have heard of the Cross
family, which I believe, as you say, to be very numerous--both male
and female."

"Yea, I have brothers and sisters an equal number; I have aunts and
uncles a store, and it has been the blessing of God so to multiply
and increase every member thereof, that each of my brothers, in
turn, hath a goodly flock, in testimony of his favors. I, alone,
of all my kindred, have neither wife nor child, and I seem as one
set apart for other ties, and other purposes."

"Ah, sir," returned the other, quickly, and with a slyness of
expression which escaped the direct and unsuspecting mind of the
preacher, "but if you are denied the blessings which are theirs,
you have your part in the great family of the world. If you have
neither wife nor child of your own loins, yet, I trust, you have
an abiding interest in the wives and children of all other men."

"I were but an unworthy teacher of the blessed word, had I not,"
was the simple answer. "Verily, all that I teach are my children;
there is not one crying to me for help, to whom I do not hasten
with the speed of a father flying to bring succor to his young. I
trust in God, that I have not made a difference between them; that
I heed not one to the forfeit or suffering of the other; and for
this impartial spirit toward the flock intrusted to my charge,
do I pray, as well as for the needful strength of body and soul,
through which my duties are to be done. But thou hast not yet spoken
thy name, or my ears have failed to receive it."

There was some little hesitation on the part of the youth before