“Shocky!” called the master.

The little poet came back and stood before him.

“Shocky, you mustn’t think God has forgotten you.  God brings things out right at last.”  But Ralph’s own faith was weak, and his words sounded hollow and hypocritical to himself.  Would God indeed bring things out right?

He sat musing a good while, trying to convince himself of the truth of what he had just been saying to Shocky—­that God would indeed bring things out right at last.  Would it all come out right if Bud married Hannah?  Would it all come out right if he were driven from Flat Creek with a dark suspicion upon his character?  Did God concern himself with these things?  Was there any God?  It was the same old struggle between Doubt and Faith.  And when Ralph looked up, Shocky had departed.

In the next hour Ralph fought the old battle of Armageddon.  I shall not describe it.  You will fight it in your own way.  No two alike.  The important thing is the End.  If you come out as he did, with the doubt gone and the trust in God victorious, it matters little just what shape the battle may take.  Since Jacob became Israel there have never been two such struggles alike, save in that they all end either in victory or in defeat.

It was after twelve o’clock on that Christmas day when Ralph put his head out the door of the school-house and called out:  “Bud, I’d like to see you.”

Bud did not care to see the master, for he had inly resolved to “thrash him” and have done with him.  But he couldn’t back out, certainly not in sight of the others who were passing along the road with him.

“I don’t want the rest of you,” said Ralph in a decided way, as he saw that Hank and one or two others were resolved to come also.

“Thought maybe you’d want somebody to see far play,” said Hank as he went off sheepishly.

“If I did, you would be the last one I should ask,” said Ralph.  “There’s no unfair play in Bud, and there is in you.”  And he shut the door.

“Now, looky here, Mr. Ralph Hartsook,” said Bud.  “You don’t come no gum games over me with your saft sodder and all that.  I’ve made up my mind.  You’ve got to promise to leave these ’ere digging, or I’ve got to thrash you.”

“You’ll have to thrash me, then,” said Ralph, turning a little pale, but remembering the bulldog.  “But you’ll tell me what It’s all about, won’t you?”

“You know well enough.  Folks says you know more ’bout the robbery at the Dutchman’s than you orter.  But I don’t believe them.  Fer them as says it is liars and thieves theirselves.  ’Ta’n’t fer none of that.  And I shan’t tell you what it is fer.  So now, if you won’t travel, why, take off your coat and git ready fer a thrashing.”

The master took off his coat and showed his slender arms.  Bud laid his off, and showed the physique of a prize-fighter.

“You a’n’t a-goin to fight me?” said Bud.