The boys of the rising generation were beginning to be taught reading and writing in the grammar schools now springing up in the towns, but hinds of the age of this man were generally absolutely ignorant of letters in any form whatever.
The sound of a voice broke the stillness.

The old man had begun to read the words aloud.
"I will--smite the--shepherd--and the--sheep--shall be scattered--" Suddenly a great wave of emotion came upon Garret, and he uttered a strangled cry.

The old man hastily thrust his book into the bosom of his coarse tunic, and gazed out of the opening with a strange expression of doubt and fear.
"What was that ?" he asked, as he rose to his feet; and Garret, flinging back his priest's hood, looked fearlessly in at the aperture.
"It is a friend, who loves the holy Word of God, and loves all who are bold enough to love and cherish it, also a man to whom a message has been sent through you, my worthy friend.

Open the door and let us clasp hands, for I know that the Lord hath sent me hither, and hath put a word in thy mouth which is meant for me.
What shall become of the sheep if the shepherd be smitten?
But shall the shepherd flee, unless he be an hireling and love not the sheep?
The shepherd must watch yet over his flock, even though he hold himself away from the hand of the smiter.

I see it all--I see it all! The Lord hath given me light!" Not one syllable of this eager torrent of words did the old shepherd comprehend; but be recognized the voice of friendship and comradeship in the unseen speaker, and he unfastened his rude door and bade the stranger enter.