He, too, commenced as if the spell of the parting was upon him.  “He was too tired,” he said, “to make a short speech.  Some one asked Walter Scott why he didn’t put a certain book of his into one volume instead of five.  And he said he hadn’t time.  It took five weeks to prepare a speech three minutes long.  And then he warmed, and grew with his subject until the beautiful thoughts fell around them like pearls.  Not only beautiful, but searching.

“No man,” said he, “dares to make a careless speech at Chautauqua, there are too many to treasure it up, to plant it again.”  Of course he knew nothing about those girls, and how much seed they were gathering which they meant to plant; but they gathered it, all the same.  He dropped his seeds with lavish hand.  This was one that took root in Marion’s brain and heart: 

“There are so many side influences that are unconscious, that the only safe way for one to do is to let no part of himself ravel, but to keep himself round and thorough, and healthy to the core.”

After that, Marion’s pencil, on which I have to depend for my notes, gave up in despair.  “I couldn’t keep track of that man!” she said, when I complained.  “There was no more use to try than there would be to count these apple blossoms,” for it was this spring, and we were standing in an apple orchard, and a perfect shower of the white, sweet-smelling things came fluttering round our heads.  But after he ‘calmed down a little,’ as she called it, she tried to write again; and I copy this: 

“Brethren:  This meeting will convert some of the most thoughtful people of this generation:  men who come here not knowing by personal experience the power of this thing, men who walk thoughtfully up and down these aisles, looking on, will say:  ’There are scholars here, there are men of genius, of great brain power, there are men and women here of every variety of temperament, and attainment, held together for fourteen days by one common bond,’ and the perseverance, the solemnity, the hilarity, the freedom, the naturalness, the earnestness of this meeting will so impress them that they will know that there is a miracle holding us, a supernatural strength.

“May I give you to-night one word more of gospel invitation?  Come, go with us, you who do not understand this matter for yourselves, go with us, and we will do you good.  Will you go to your rooms to-night and make the resolve that shall write your names in God’s book of life?  The recording angel has a trembling hand this minute, waiting for your answer.  Weary one, so young and yet so tired, come, come, come now.”

Marion, with cheeks burning, and eyes very bright and earnest, looked around her:  Eurie sat next to her, she seemed unmoved, there was no sign of tears to her bright eyes, but she was looking steadily at the speaker.

“Never mind!” Marion said within herself, and there came to her an eager desire to begin her practice, to do something; what if it were utter failure, would the fault be hers?