Publisher's Synopsis
It seemed that Father Anthony gathered all the warmth of the short northern summer and kept itfor winter use, for his good nature was an actual physical force. From his ruddy face beamed such akindliness that people reached out toward him as they might extend their hands toward acomfortable fire.All the labors of his work as an inspector of Jesuit institutions across the length and breadth ofCanada could not lessen the good father's enthusiasm; his smile was as indefatigable as his criticaleyes. The one looked sharply into every corner of a room and every nook and hidden cranny ofthoughts and deeds; the other veiled the criticism and soothed the wounds of vanity.On this day, however, the sharp eyes grew a little less keen and somewhat wider, while that smilewas fixed rather by habit than inclination. In fact, his expression might be called a frozen kindlinessas he looked across the table to Father Victor.It required a most indomitable geniality, indeed, to outface the rigid piety of Jean Paul Victor. Hismissionary work had carried him far north, where the cold burns men thin. The zeal which drovehim north and north and north over untracked regions, drove him until his body failed, drove himeven now, though his body was crippled.A mighty yearning, and a still mightier self-contempt whipped him on, and the school over which hewas master groaned and suffered under his régime. Father Anthony said gently: "Are there noneamong all your lads, dear Father Victor, whom you find something more than imperfect machines?"The man of the north drew from a pocket of his robe a letter. His lean fingers touched it almostwith a caress."One. Pierre Ryder. He shall carry on my mission in the north. I, who am silent, have done much;but Pierre will do more. I had to fight my first battle to conquer my own stubborn soul, and thebattle left me weak for the great work in the snows, but Pierre will not fight that battle, for I havetrained him."This letter is for him. Shall we not carry it to him? For two days I have not seen Pierre."Father Anthony winced.
