"That's just what I am afraid of," wailed Dorcas.

Then they had their first quarrel, in the course of which, be it
admitted, she said one or two spiteful things. For instance, she
suggested that the real reason he wished to go abroad was because he was
so unpopular with his brother clergymen at home, and especially with his
superiors, to whom he was fond of administering lectures and reproofs.

It ended, of course, in her being crushed as flat as is a broken-winged
butterfly that comes in the path of a garden roller. He stood up and
towered over her.

"Dorcas," he said, "do what you will. Stay here if you wish, and enjoy
your money and your luxuries. I sail on the first of next month for
Africa. Because you are weak, do I cease to be strong?"

"I think not," she replied, sobbing, and gave in.

So they sailed, first class--this was a concession, for he had intended
to go third--but without a nurse; on that point he stood firm.

"You must learn to look after your own children," he said, a remark at
which she made a little face that meant more than he knew.



II

The career of Mr. and Mrs. Bull during the next eight years calls for
but little comment. Partly because Tabitha was delicate at first and