So
the sun for ever returns after the clouds. A doubting man, like him
who wrote the book of Ecclesiasties, puts the evil last, and says
'the clouds return after the rain;' but the Christian knows that
One has mastery
Who makes the joy the last in every song."
"You speak like one who has suffered!" said Arctura, with a kind
look in his face.
"Who has not that lives?"
"It is how you are able to help others!"
"Am I able to help others? I am very glad to hear it. My ambition
would be to help, if I had any ambition. But if I am able, it is
because I have been helped myself, not because I have suffered."
"Will you tell me what you mean by saying you have no ambition?"
"Where your work is laid out for you, there is no room for ambition:
you have got your work to do!--But give me your hand, my lady; put
your other hand on my shoulder. You stop there, Davie, and don't
move till I come to you. Now, my lady--a little jump! That's it! Now
you are safe!--You were not afraid, were you?"
"Not in the least. But did you come here in the dark?"
"Yes. There is this advantage in the dark: you do not see how
dangerous the way is. We take the darkness about us for the source
of our difficulties: it is a great mistake. Christian would hardly
have dared go through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, had he not
had the shield of the darkness all about him.
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