The three older men looked at him kindly; John Murchison, rubbing his chin as he considered the situation, slightly shook his head.

One took it that in his view the Empire was not so readily envisaged.
"That has a strong bearing," Mr Cruickshank assented.
"It's the whole case--it seems to me," repeated young Murchison.
"It should help to knit us up," said Dr Drummond.

"I'll put my name down on the first passenger list, if Knox Church will let me off.

See that you have special rates," he added, with a twinkle, "for ministers and missionaries." "And only ten days to get him ready in," said Mrs Murchison.

"It will take some seeing to, I assure you; and I don't know how it's to be done in the time.