The Uncalled · Chapter 16 (2/2)

Mrs. Hodges and Eliphalet agreed that the dead man had been right in wishing his son to go away, and, after doing what he could to lighten their load, he again stood on the threshold, leaving his old sad home. Mrs. Hodges bade him goodbye at the door, and went back. She was too bowed to seem hard any more, or even to pretend it. But Eliphalet followed him to the gate. The two stood holding each other’s hands and gazing into each other’s eyes.

“I know you’re a-goin’ to do right without me a-tellin’ you to,” said the old man, chokingly. “That’s all I want of you. Even ef you don’t preach, you kin live an’ work fur Him.”

“I shall do all the good I can, Uncle ’Liph, but I shall do it in the name of poor humanity until I come nearer to Him. I am dazed and confused now, and want the truth.”

“Go on, my boy; you’re safe. You’ve got the truth now, only you don’t know it; fur they’s One that says, ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me.’ ”

Another hearty handshake, and the young man was gone.

As Fred went down the street, someone accosted him and said, “I hear yore father’s home.”

“Yes, he’s home,” said Fred.

Tom Brent was buried on Tuesday morning. The Rev. Mr. Simpson, who, in spite of his age, had been prevailed upon to resume charge of his church, preached the sermon. He spoke feelingly of the “dear departed brother, who, though late, had found acceptance with the Lord,” and he ended with a prayer⁠—which was a shot⁠—for the “departed’s misguided son, who had rejected his Master’s call and was now wandering over the earth in rebellion and sin.” It was well that he did not see the face of Eliphalet Hodges then.

Dan’l Hastings nodded over the sermon. In the back part of the church, Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Smith whispered together and gaped at the two old mourners, and wondered where the boy was. They had “heerd he was in town.”

Bill Tompkins brought Elizabeth to the funeral.