Meanwhile | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 17, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 16.

Meanwhile.

"I REALLY cannot take the class," answered Mr. Nelson, with the reins hanging loosely in his hands.

"I am sorry; we need teachers," said the superintendent, disappointedly.

"Yes I suppose so. I am sorry too, but lack of time is the trouble. I haven't time to prepare the lesson each week."

Down the road carrying a basket of flowers for the town market, and finishing his lunch as he walked, was Rob Greyson. The carriage overtook him, and Mr. Nelson, noticing the basket and guessing his destination, called out pleasantly:—

"Jump in and ride, Rob."

Rob accepted with evident satisfaction, and answered cheerily all questions concerning the garden and farm; but when Mr. Nelson dropped the conversation, he drew a book from his pocket, and was soon deep in its pages. "A story," thought the gentleman, and smiled; but a second glance told him that it was a school-book.

"You are industrious," he remarked.

Rob looked up and laughed.

"This is one of my 'meanwhites.'"

"A 'meanwhile?'" repeated Mr. Nelson, bestowing a more curious gaze upon the volume.

"Oh, the book is only a physiology but I call it a 'meanwhile' this term, because I am just studying it in odds and ends of time," explained Rob. "I always have my 'regulars' and my 'meanwhiles'—things that there is a regular time and place for, and other things that I want to do you know, but can't unless I crowd them in around the edges. You see, the class is taking this study this term, and I don't want to be behind them; but the garden takes a good deal of my time out of school. I thought I'd keep the book at hand, though, and work away at it when I had a chance. There are so many waiting times when somebody or something isn't quite ready to go ahead, or a few minutes here and there when it doesn't seem worth while beginning anything, unless one has something like this all ready. But it is strange how much it counts in a day. I've kept up with the other boys so far."

"You are industrious," said Mr. Nelson again, but as if he scarcely thought what he was saying.

"Oh, it happens to be study this term, but sometimes it's only fun," answered Rob, with his eyes once more on his book. "My 'meanwhiles' are for any extras that may come along."

Mr. Nelson did not interrupt him. He was beginning to wonder whether it was not possible himself to find room for a certain "extra;" and he decided to stop again at the house on the hill, on his homeward way, and give the superintendent of the Sunday-school a different answer.

Rob saw a new teacher in the school the next Sunday, but he did not dream that it was because more lessons than one had been crowded into his "meanwhile."—Forward.