THE ANCIENT PATH

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER SEVEN

Gabe squinted at the dancing page. Jim peered over his shoulder.

"Leviticus" he carefully spelled aloud. "Gabe, try the New Testament for now." 

Gabe looked puzzled.

"Look at the index. Try Matthew, Mark, Luke or John first."

"Okay" replied the younger man. Might leave it for now though. Eyes a bit funny. Thanks."

The old man sat down heavily. His soft white hair was thinning a little on top.

"That Bible belonged to my Lettie", he said softly. "When she died, I wrapped it up. It meant a lot to her, that book. She's been gone ten years now. Anyway, what are your plans for the future, Gabe?"

"Guess I'll head back to college," he replied.

Jim had been thinking about that quite a lot. Aloud he asked: "How would you like to stay here, mate? Do your studies by correspondence, you know writing an' that. Sure could use the company."

Gabe thought for a while. He understood his friends wanted to help him. Geoff had unobtrusively left the walking stick. Now Jim's offer.

Did he value his independence so much he could walk away lonely and...he hated to think it...unwell?