What did it matter? Somewhere he felt his garden
waited for him; he would find his work. He was free from the deadening
influence of the cast-iron monument and that, for the moment, was enough.
So far as his Corinthian ministry was concerned only one shadow, out of
all the dark cloud of his troubled experience remained. When that was
lifted he would turn his back upon Corinth forever, but until then he did
not feel free to go.
They were lying on the grassy bank of a woodland pasture, where a herd
of cattle grazed or lay contentedly in the shade of the scattered trees.
"Heigh-ho," said the Doctor, "I believe I will go with you, lad."
For some time they had been silent and it was almost as though the old
man had spoken to his companion's thoughts.
"Go where?" asked Dan, turning over on his side and half-raising himself
on his elbow.
"Why home to Mutton Hollow, of course. You'll be leaving pretty soon now,
I reckon."
"I suppose so," mused Dan vaguely. "But I'm not going home."
The old Doctor sat up. "Not going home!"
Dan smiled. "Not just yet," he answered. "I want to run about a little
first."
"Uh-huh," the Doctor nodded. "Want to get your hair dry and your shirt on
right side out before you face the folks."
Dan laughed. "Perhaps I want to look for my garden," he said.
"Good!" ejaculated the other, now very much in earnest. "Let me help you,
lad. You know what I have always hoped for you. My profession needs--.
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