dissipated young men around town, the club men, are left out of all plans for reaching and Christianizing.  And yet no class of people need it more.  I said to myself:  ’I know these men, their good and their bad qualities.  I have been one of them.  I am not fitted to reach the Rectangle people.  I do not know how.  But I think I could possibly reach some of the young men and boys who have money and time to spend.’  So that is what I have been trying to do.  When I asked as you did, What would Jesus do?’ that was my answer.  It has been also my cross.”

Rollin’s voice was so low on this last sentence that Rachel had difficulty in hearing him above the noise around them, But she knew what he had said.  She wanted to ask what his methods were.  But she did not know how to ask him.  Her interest in his plan was larger than mere curiosity.  Rollin Page was so different now from the fashionable young man who had asked her to be his wife that she could not help thinking of him and talking with him as if he were an entirely new acquaintance.

They had turned off the avenue and were going up the street to Rachel’s home.  It was the same street where Rollin had asked Rachel why she could not love him.  They were both stricken with a sudden shyness as they went on.  Rachel had not forgotten that day and Rollin could not.  She finally broke a long silence by asking what she had not found words for before.

“In your work with the club men, with your old acquaintances, what sort of reception do they give you?  How do you approach them?  What do they say?”

Rollin was relieved when Rachel spoke.  He answered quickly:  “Oh, it depends on the man.  A good many of them think I am a crank.  I have kept my membership up and am in good standing in that way.  I try to be wise and not provoke any unnecessary criticism.  But you would be surprised to know how many of the men have responded to my appeal.  I could hardly make you believe that only a few nights ago a dozen men became honestly and earnestly engaged in a conversation over religious matters.  I have had the great joy of seeing some of the men give up bad habits and begin a new life.  ‘What would Jesus do?’ I keep asking it.  The answer comes slowly, for I am feeling my way slowly.  One thing I have found out.  The men are not fighting shy of me.  I think that is a good sign.  Another thing:  I have actually interested some of them in the Rectangle work, and when it is started up they will give something to help make it more powerful.  And in addition to all the rest, I have found a way to save several of the young fellows from going to the bad in gambling.”

Rollin spoke with enthusiasm.  His face was transformed by his interest in the subject which had now become a part of his real life.  Rachel again noted the strong, manly tone of his speech.  With it all she knew there was a deep, underlying seriousness which felt the burden of the cross even while carrying it with joy.  The next time she spoke it was with a swift feeling of justice due to Rollin and his new life.