“Don’t let your enthusiasm run away with your common sense.  Try to be practical.”

“I think I am practical,” said Hubert, smiling again, “although it is hard for a man to judge his own actions.  It seems to me the practical way to give is to give.  The people whom I consider impractical are those who, having an abundance for themselves, dole out pittances for the Lord and regret they are so little!  The poor, perplexed ladies in the missionary society vex their brains in planning how to ‘raise’ something for Him.  They take mite-boxes themselves, and they encourage the gifts of the poor, the children, the babies—­and even the dolls, I am told!  It is very pathetic.  But why does it never occur to them—­to those who can afford it, I mean—­to give?  That is what I should call practical.  I suppose Mrs. Greenman did not find much difficulty in ‘raising’ enough money to pay for her swell reception the day after the missionary meeting, I saw the street lined with carriages and heard an orchestra playing inside as I passed.  We can imagine the decorations and the fine gowning.  Now that was practical.  What she wanted was a fine display, and she practically put her hand in her pocket and paid for it.  But she says they cannot all do what they would like for missions!  Why do they plead poverty there?  Mrs. Greenman would not like to have her husband poorly rated in Bradstreet’s, and I am sure she did not wish to have her guests the other day think of poverty.  But before the Lord—­ah, maybe that is what they think it is to be ‘poor in spirit!’ But if they would be honest!  If she should say, now, in the missionary meeting:  ’The amount raised is not what we might have given, but it is all we really wish to give in view of the luncheon parties, fine dresses, and all that sort of thing, that we find more important,’ I think that way of putting it would be practical, and honest withal.”

Mr. Gray actually laughed, and the sound was music to his son’s ears.

“Very good, Hubert,” he said.  “You had better give them a lecture.”

“Had I not better give them an object lesson?” Hubert suggested instead.

“There is one thing you cannot do,” Mr. Gray said with a sly triumph.  Hubert looked at him inquiringly.  “You cannot give away your mother’s legacy.  The terms of the will provide for that.  The property cannot be alienated.”

Hubert looked at his father blankly for a moment.  The fact stated he had quite forgotten.

“You are right,” he exclaimed.  Then his brow cleared of its blank surprise and he laughed.  “That settles it about the rest,” he said.  “The income from that property will amply support me and any poor interests a humble missionary may have.”

“Just so,” said his father.  “Or it might maintain a poor fool who had missed his calling and was sent home.”

Hubert laughed again.  “Quite so,” he assented.