Chapters (45)
- THE FOLLOWING OF THE STAR
- *
- Contents
- GOLD
- Chapter I - The Still Waters of Brambledene
- Chapter II - The Lady of Mystery
- Chapter III - David Stirs the Still Waters
- Chapter IV - Diana Rivers, of Riverscourt
- Chapter V - The Noiseless Napier
- Chapter VI - David Makes Friends with "Chappie"
- Chapter VII - The Touch of Power
- Chapter VIII - The Test of the True Herald
- Chapter IX - Uncle Falcon's Will
- Chapter X - Diana's High Fence
- Chapter XI - The Voice in the Night
- Chapter XII - Suspense
- Chapter XIII - David's Decision
- Chapter XIV - The Eve of Epiphany
- Chapter XV - The Codicil
- Chapter XVI - In Old St. Botolph's
- Chapter XVII - Diana's Readjustment
- Chapter XVIII - David's Nunc Dimittis
- Chapter XIX - David Studies the Scenery
- Chapter XX - With the Compliments of the Company
- Chapter XXI - "All Ashore!"
- Chapter XXII - Diana Wins
- Chapter XXIII - Uncle Falcon Wins
- FRANKINCENSE
- Chapter XXIV - The Hidden Leaven
- Chapter XXV - The Property of the Crown
- Chapter XXVI - A Pilgrimage
- Chapter XXVII - A Question of Conscience
- Chapter XXVIII - David's Pronouncement
- Chapter XXIX - What David Wondered
- Chapter XXX - Resurgam
- Chapter XXXI - "I Can Stand Alone"
- Chapter XXXII - The Blow Falls
- Chapter XXXIII - Requiescat in Pace
- MYRRH
- Chapter XXXIV - In the Hospital of the Holy Star
- Chapter XXXV - The Letter Comes
- Chapter XXXVI - Diana Learns the Truth
- Chapter XXXVII - "Good-Night, David"
- Chapter XXXVIII - The Bundle of Myrrh
- Chapter XXXIX - Home, by Another Way
So "Boots," "Waiter," and "Ostler," became "Tom," "Dick," and "Harry," to David, wherever he went; and while other people were served by machines, for so much a day, he was hailed by men, and waited on with affection. And he, who never forgot a face, also had the knack of never forgetting the name appertaining to that face, nor the time and circumstance in which he had previously come in contact with it.
Diana soon had evidence of this as they boarded the liner, on which David had already travelled. On all sides, impassive faces suddenly brightened into smiles of welcome; and David's "Hullo, Jim!" or "Still on board, Harry?" would be met with: "Glad to see you looking better, Mr. Rivers"; or "We heard you was a-coming, sir." David, who had left love behind, found love awaiting him.
Opposite the purser's office, he hesitated, and turned to Diana.
"Where would you like to go?" he said. "We have nearly an hour."
"I want to see over the whole ship," said Diana. "But first of all, of course, your cabin." David looked pleased, and led the way down to a lower deck, and along a narrow passage, with doors on either side. At number 24 he stopped.
"Here we are," he said, cheerfully.
Diana entered a small cabin, already choked with luggage. It contained three berths. On two of them were deposited rugs, hand-bags, and men's cloth caps. A lower one was empty. Several portmanteaux blocked the middle of the small room. David followed her in, and looked around.
"Hullo!" he said. "Where is my baggage? Apparently it has not turned up. This is my bunk, right enough."
"What a squash!" exclaimed Diana.
Before David could reply, a steward put his head in at the door.
"Well, Martin," said David, "I'm back in my old quarters, you see. I am glad you are still on duty down this passage."
The man saluted, and came in with an air of importance.
"Glad to see you, sir, I'm sure; and looking a deal better than when you came home, sir. But I'm not to have the pleasure of waiting on you this time, Mr. Rivers. The purser gave orders that I was to hand you this, as soon as you arrived."
He handed David a letter, addressed to himself.
David tore it open, glanced at it; then turned to Diana, his face aglow with surprise and pleasure.
"I say!" he exclaimed. "They ask me to accept better accommodation, 'with the compliments of the company.' Well, I've heard of such a thing happening to actors, public singers, and authors; but this is the first time I have known it happen to a missionary! Where is number 74, Martin?"
"On the promenade deck, sir; nicely midship. Allow me to show you."
Martin led the way. David, full of excitement, pleasure, and surprise, followed, with Diana.