“The one redeeming feature in his character,” summed up Val, “is his genuine affection for the children.  His wife died about two years ago, it seems, and he is too old to marry again.  So he appears to have devoted himself to the idea of practically adopting these three little Logans.”

“It seems to me a case of body versus soul for the poor little kids, if they are to trust to that old heathen for a proper bringing up.  But the mother is a good woman, and has a will of her own.”

“That’s where it is so difficult to do anything,” said Val sadly.  “She does not understand the state of the case properly, though I’ve tried to make it plain to her.  The fellow is an avowed Free Mason.  He can not practise his religion, and in a kind of self-defense he rails against it—­though not openly to Catholics, I believe.  She is deluded enough to imagine that the influence of herself and the children will win him over to the right path again.  But it’s far more likely that he will win the children over to unbelief, if he is to become their practical parent.  Christian acknowledges that his indulgence is spoiling Tam already.”

It was almost dramatic that at that moment a knock at the room door should prove to be from Elsie, who announced the presence of Christian Logan in the “priest’s room” asking for a few minutes’ conversation with his Reverence.

The interview proved to be somewhat long.  Val gave me an account of it later in the day.  Gowan had proposed that Jeemsie should be placed without delay in an English institution for the deaf and dumb, while the others traveled a little about Scotland before starting for America, as he had now decided to do.  He had made his money in horse-dealing, it appeared, and was not satisfied with his present prosperous condition, but longed to make more money; probably, too, he was tired of idling, after a rather strenuous life spent in business.

Christian was willing to part with the little fellow for a time, but only on condition that he should go to a Catholic institution, of which Val had told her previously.  The idea infuriated Gowan.  What did religion matter?  Protestant institutions of the kind were far in advance of Catholic.  It was ridiculous to think of sending the boy anywhere except to a place thoroughly up-to-date.  Finally he had refused to do anything in the matter unless he had free scope to place the child where he should think best.

The poor woman’s eyes were opened at last.  She was absolutely determined that Jeemsie should be given up to no authority that was incapable of teaching him all that was necessary for the practice of his religion.  She had come to pour out her difficulties to Val, and to ask further advice.  He, of course, applauded her decision, and strengthened her in the resolution she had made, even though it might lead to a temporary withdrawal of Gowan’s liberality.  Val was convinced that the man was too much attached to the children to break altogether with the Logans.