“Yes, the common people are always the same. But how about the rulers—the financiers, the proud and exclusive, the so-called great? How will they treat him?”

“The same as they did before, no doubt,” Rachel said sadly. “But you must remember, Virginia, how many more good people there are now than then. Think of the church people. Think of the missionaries and Christian workers all over the world who will welcome him. Before, he came to his own, and his own received him not. Do you think that his own disciples, thousands of them, will not receive him today?”

“No, I cannot believe that. His church will welcome him. And did not Martha say that, when he spoke to them last night, he had only words of comfort and praise for our church?”

“That was one of the first reasons why I began to believe in him. He has come to cheer his own disciples, to enlarge their definition of themselves, and declare to them the power they possess. Not to denounce and criticize, but to inspire and encourage.”

Rachel continued, “I have been thinking of Mr. Stanton also, and rejoicing that Mr. Maxwell is to have such a fine assistant. Did you notice what a splendid voice he has?”

“Yes.”

“Most men have ordinary voices, Virginia. Of course, Rollin is an exception.” Rachel laughed happily.

“Your married life has been a joy to you, hasn’t it, Rachel?” Virginia spoke wistfully, looking at her friend in all her motherly beauty, her children folded in her arms.

“It has been heaven to me.”

“Those children mean much to you.”

“I believe I should die if anything should happen to my darlings. Eloise has not been well today, but it’s nothing serious.”

Another silence, broken this time by Virginia. “Mr. Stanton seemed to be something of a mystic as well as a man of common sense.”

“Do you object to that?”

“Oh, no. I rather like that combination in a man. It makes an interesting person.”

“I hope he will be as interesting a preacher as he is a talker. Sometimes a man with a good voice like his loses it when he begins to preach.”

“I don’t believe he will. He will have too much common sense.”

“It is to be hoped he will. And let us hope he will not raise his voice too loud.”

“By all means.” Virginia laughed. “If he yells, I shall not go to church. Mr. Maxwell has set a high example that way.”

The bell rang, and a moment after, the maid announced, “Mr. Stanton to see Mrs. Page.”

“Mrs. Page?” Virginia rose.

“Yes, he said Mr. Maxwell told him Mrs. Page was here while her husband was in Chicago, and he has stopped in with a message from Mr. Maxwell to her.”

Rachel rose and put the children on the couch. “We will both go,” she said to Virginia, and, taking her hand, drew her into the reception parlor where Stanton was standing.

He sat down at Rachel’s invitation, and said he would remain only a few moments.