The Angry Tide by Winston Graham Page A

the gates of Paradise. He had received again and again the impress of the Seal and the earnest of the Spirit in his heart, beholding, as in a glass, the glory of Christ. Yet humbly witnessing, never claiming for himself more than he could offer to others. Employed as a tut-workcr at Wheal Grace, he spent every leisure moment cither in class or in prayer with his fellow Wesleyans or helping in some practical fashion with the problems of the poor and the sick in Grambler and Sawle. As a stranger to the district, having come from Illuggan little more than four years ago, he had been regarded with suspicion at first, and with not a little hostility from those who were not of his religious persuasion. But good works had worn the resistance down and he was now as popular as any ma n who didn't drink in the kiddle ys could be.
    Sam visited his brother twice weekly, though, as his commitments ever grew, the visits tended to become shorter. He had twice refused Drake's offer of a partnership in the blacksmith's shop, saying that his call lay elsewhere.
    On this Tuesday Sam stayed longer than usual, helping Drake fix the shafts into a cart. When they were almost done he said: 'Brother, it pleasures me to hear tell you are going with a young woman again.'
    'Give me another heave,' said Drake. 'Now, if you'll hold 'n steady while I drive in another nail.' This was done. 'Rosina Hoblyn, you d' mean? I've seen her thrice - and all but once by accident. Tis oversaying it to say I'm going with she.'
    'Well ... it is not for me to direct ee , Drake; though I will say I would gain p leasure to see you wed to a fitt y young woman. Tis hardly natural to spend all your life alone. You know how I've grieved that you've not come back fully to us in the Society; but I know too how you've suffered these last three year gone, and twould raise my heart just to feel you was making the first steps to climb out of the pit.'
    Drake stood back and frowned at the cart. 'Tis level or not level, brother?' 'Tis level.'
    'This side? You think this side too?'
    'Aye ,., Drake, you're still some young, yet already you're in a good style of trade. Day after day, month after month, you've risen early, wreaked late and eaten the bread of carefulness. It is not in you to seek riches, but modest riches will come your way. To what end, brother? I ask myself, and you must ask yourself, to what end?'
    'That is what I never do ask myself, ’ said Drake.
    'Not yet. For you have been sore stricken. But in time the sorest wounds must heat.'
    'Must they?' said Drake.
    'I ask your pardon, brother, if I tread on delicate ground. But if I do, ye must know tis out of love and affection that I do. There comes a time I d' b'lieve when tis necessary to look about the world and see what tis your duty to do. Not your inclination, maybe, but your duty. For looking to help others is the best way of looking to save yourself. If now - if now you became convinced through prayer that twas your Christian duty to alter your condition in life by exchanging the state of a single for that of a married man, then I would say there are few young women who would be more comfortable to you than Rosina Hoblyn.'
    'You would, eh?' said Drake.
    Sam eyed his brother. Although a man still of slim build, the years at the forge had given Drake great physical strength. His were the sort of muscles that hardly showed except when they were being used. They were being used now when he lifted the end of the cart bodily on to a low trestle and began to knock out the wheel pin.
    Drake said: 'You think I'd make Rosina a comfortable husband if I didn't love her? ’
    'Love might come, brother. If you shared in the love and worship of Christ, love would come. Then if your marriage was blessed with the precious fruits of little children, your soul would become like a watered garden and you would know the truest fulfilment of life.'
    'And Morwenna?' said Drake.
    There was silence. It was a name never mentioned by cither