All those inner compunctions that haunt a just and scrupulous nature came freely into play.

And his evangelical religion--for he was a devout though liberal-minded Presbyterian--also entered in.

Was it possible that he might be the agent of his father's redemption?
The idea, the hope, produced in him occasional hidden exaltations--flights of prayer--mystical memories of his mother--which lightened what was otherwise a time of bitter renunciation, and determined wrestling with himself.
During the latter days of this fortnight, indeed, he could not do enough for his father.

He had made all the Vancouver arrangements; he had supplied him amply with clothes and other personal necessaries; and he came home early at night in order to sit and smoke with him.

Mrs.
Ginnell, looking in of an evening, beheld what seemed to her a touching sight, though one far beyond the deserts of such creatures as McEwen--the son reading the newspaper aloud, or playing dominoes with his father, or just smoking and chatting.