So I went back into the wilderness and waited. Old chap, I
didn't wait in vain."
He suddenly turned his head, and his eyes rested upon Piers with the
serenity of a man at peace with his own soul. "That's about all my
story," he said with simplicity. "I got the strength for the job, and so
carried it through. When my uncle died, I was left in command, and I've
stuck to it ever since. But I took a partner a few years back, and now
I've handed over the whole thing to him and I'm going Home at last to my
old mother."
"Going to settle in England?" asked Piers.
Crowther shook his head. "Not now, lad. I couldn't. There's too much to
be done. No; I'm going to fulfil my old ambitions if I can. I'm going to
get myself ordained. After that--"
He paused, for Piers had turned to stare at him in open amazement. "You!"
he ejaculated.
Crowther's smile came over his face like a spreading light. "You don't
think much of parsons, I gather, sonny," he said.
Piers broke into his sudden laugh. "Not as a tribe, I admit. I can't
stand any man who makes an ass of himself, whatever his profession. But
of course I don't mean to assert that all parsons answer to that
description. I've met a few I liked."
Crowther's smile developed into a laugh. "Then you, won't deprive me of
the pleasure of your friendship if I become one?"
"My dear chap," said Piers forcibly, "if you became the biggest
blackguard in creation, you would remain my friend.
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