\"I\'lltellyouwhat,Mr.Wilson,wemustusealittlestrategy.Youshallseeacarpenter,andhavetheroofrepairedatyourownexpense.\"
\"Mr.Wilson\'scountenancefell.\"Ifear——\"hecommenced.
\"ButIwillrepayyouwhateveritcosts.Howwillthatdo?\"
\"Howkindyouare,SquireHadley!\"
\"ItisonlywhatIoughttodo,andwouldhavedonebeforeifIhadthoughthowtomanageit.AsMrs.Hadleywillwonderhowyouraisedthemoney,Iwillsayyouhadagiftfromafriend,andthatItoldyoutorepairthehouseatyourownexpense.\"
AfewdayslaterMrs.Hadleycamehomeinsomeexcitement.
\"Mr.Hadley,\"saidshe,severely,\"Ifindthattheminister\'shouseisbeingnewshingled.\"
\"Isit?\"askedherhusbandindifferently.
\"Thisisthewayyouwasteyourmoney,isit?\"
\"WhathaveItodowithit?IfMr.Wilsonchoosestoshinglethehouseathisownexpense,Iamperfectlywilling.\"
\"Didn\'tyouorderitdone?\"inquiredhiswife,inamazement.
\"Certainlynot.Theministerspokeofitwhenhepaidtherent,andItoldhimhecoulddoitathisownexpenseifhechoseto.\"
\"That\'sjustwhatyououghttohavesaid.ButIdon\'tunderstandwheretheministerfindsthemoney,ifheissopoorasyousayheis.\"
\"I
understandthathehasreceivedagiftofmoneyfromafriend,\"saidthediplomaticSquire.
\"I
didn\'tknowhehadanyfriendlikelytogivehimmoney.Doyouknowwhoitis?\"
\"Hedidn\'ttellme,andIdidn\'tinquire,\"answeredtheSquire,pluminghimselfonhisstrategy.
\"Wasitalargesum?\"
\"I
don\'tthinkitwas.\"
\"I
wishhisfriendhadgivenhimenoughtopayforpaintingthehouse,too.\"
\"Why?Thehousewouldn\'tbeanywarmerforpainting,\"saidtheSquireslyly.
\"Itwouldlookbetter.\"
\"Andsoministertohisvanity.\"
\"Youseemtobeverystupidthismorning,\"saidMrs.Hadley,provoked.
\"I
amonlyrepeatingyourownobservations,mydear.\"
\"IfMr.Wilsoncanaffordtopaintthehouse,Iaminfavorofhisdoingit;
butIdon\'tthinkyouhaveanycalltopayforit.Thehousewillbebetterpropertyifitisnewlypainted.\"
\"Thendon\'tyouthinkIoughttodoit,Lucretia?\"
\"No,Idon\'t,\"saidMrs.Hadleysharply.
\"I
thinkmyself,\"saidthewilySquire,\"consideringthelowrateatwhichtheministergetsthehouse,hecouldaffordtoputononecoatofpaintathisownexpense.Ihaveagreatmindtohintittohim.\"
\"You\'dbetterdoit,Mr.Hadley,\"saidhiswifeapprovingly.
\"I
will;butperhapshewon\'tlookatitinthesamelight.\"
Withinaweekthepainterswereatworkontheparsonage.Thecoatofpaintimproveditsappearanceverymuch.Isuspectthebillwaspaidinthesamewayastheshingling;butthisisasecretbetweentheministerandSquireHadley,whosestrategyquitebaffledhiswife\'spenetration.
Chapter6
\"Please,MissFrost,thesewingsocietyisgoingtomeetatourhousethisafternoon,andmotherwantsyoutocomeroundafterschool,andstaytosupper.\"
ThespeakerwasAnniePeabody,daughterofDeaconUriahPeabody,amanwholivedinagroove,andjudgedallmenaccordingtohisownexperienceoflife,whichwasverylimited.Hewasanaustere,oldfashionedCalvinist,whobelievedthatatleastnineteentwentiethsofhisfellowmenwereelectedtoperdition.Mr.
Wilson\'stheologywasnotsternenoughtosuithim.Hecharacterizedtheminister\'ssermonsasmilkandwater.
\"Whatwewant,parson,isstrongmeat,\"hemorethanonceremarkedtotheminister.\"You\'realwaysexhortin\'mentodoright.Idon\'ttakemuchstockinthatkindoftalk.\"
\"WhatshallIpreachthen,DeaconPeabody?\"askedtheministermildly.
\"IfIwereaministerI\'dstirupthesinners,\"saidthedeaconemphatically.
\"Howwouldyoudoit?\"
\"I\'ddescribethelakeoffire,andthetormentsofthedamned,an\'let\'emunderstandwhatispreparedfor\'emiftheydon\'tfearGodanddohiscommandments.\"
Theministershudderedalittle.Hewasamanofsensitiveorganization,uponwhomthesegloomysuggestionsjarredunpleasantly.\"Ican\'tpaintsuchluridpictures,deacon,\"heanswered;\"nordoIfeelthattheywoulddoanygood.Idon\'twanttopaintourMakerasacrueltyrant,butasamercifulandconsiderateFather.\"
\"I\'mafeared,parson,thatyouain\'tsoundinthedoctrines.orknowwhattheScripturessay,`Vengeanceismine;Iwillrepay,saiththeLord.\'\"
\"Wealsoread,`Likeasafatherpitiethhischildren,sotheLordpitieththemthatfearhim.\'\"
\"Butsupposetheydon\'tfearhim,\"saidthedeacontriumphantly.
\"I
believeinthepunishmentofsin,\"returnedMr.Wilson.\"Wecannoterrwithoutincurringthepenalty,butIbelieveGod,inpunishingthesinner,doesnotceasetolovehim.`Whomhelovethhechasteneth:\'or,aswehavearighttosay,helovesthosethathechastens.\"
\"I
don\'tknowaboutthat,\"saidthedeacon.\"Ithinkthat\'stwistin\'
Scripturetoourownends.Howmanydoyouthinkaregoin\'tobesaved,ParsonWilson?\"
\"I
cannothazardaconjecture,deacon.HeavenforbidthatIshouldseektolimitthegoodnessandmercyofGod.\"
\"Doyouthinkaquarterwillbesaved?\"persistedthedeacon.
\"OfcourseIdon\'tmeantheheathen.Thereain\'tnohopeforanyofthem,unlessthey\'vebeenconvertedbythemissionaries.Imeanofthemthat\'sbroughtupunderChristianinstitutions.\"
\"A
quarter?Mostcertainly.IfIfeltthatthreequartersoftheraceweredestinedtobelost,mysoulwouldbeweigheddownwithgrief.\"
\"Well,formypart,\"saidthedeacon,\"I\'venoideathatasmanyasaquarterwillbesaved.AboutoneintwentyisfullashighasIcalc\'lateon.\"
\"GoodHeavens!DeaconPeabody,youcan\'tbeinearnest.\"
\"Yes,Ibe.Why,ParsonWilson,lookatthepeopleastheyare,\"(thedeaconpronounceditair)——\"ain\'ttheysteepedinfollyandvice?Ain\'ttheycarnallyminded?Ain\'ttheylivin\'forthisworldwithoutnothoughtoftheother?Airtheyfitforthemansionsoftheblest?Tellmethat.\"
Thedeacon\'svoiceroseinasortofcrescendo,andheputthelastquestiontriumphantly.
\"WearenoneofusfitforHeaven,\"repliedtheminister,\"butwecanrelyonGod\'smercy.Yourdoctrineissimplyhorrible.Ifbutoneintwentyistobe,saved,don\'tyoufeelanxiousaboutyourownsoul?\"
\"OfcourseI\'mapoor,miserablesinner,\"saidthedeaconcomplacently;\"butI\'maprofessin\'Christian,andIhavefaithinChrist.
IthinkIcomewithinthepromises.\"
\"Supposeyouweresureofyourownsalvation,doesn\'tthethoughtofthemillionswhoaretoperishevergiveyouanguish?\"
\"OfcourseI\'msorryforthepoor,deludedsinners,\"saidthedeacon,whomanagedneverthelesstomaintainacheerfulexterior;\"butthepeaceofGodremainsinmysoul,andIdon\'tallowthefollyofotherstodisturbme.\"
Theministershookhishead.
\"IfIbelievedasyoudo,deacon,\"hesaid,\"Icouldnotclosemyeyesatnight.Icouldnotrejoiceinthebrightsunshineandgloriousbeautyofoutwardnature.Ishouldputonsackclothandashes,andpouroutmysoultoGodinearnestprayerthathewouldturnhissoulfromwrath.\"
\"I
don\'tfeellikeinterferin\'withGod\'sarrangements.I\'venodoubtthey\'reforthebest.\"
\"YouthinkitbestthatallheathenandnineteentwentiethsofthosethatliveinChristiancountriesshouldbedamned?\"askedtheministerwithsomevehemence.
\"Ifit\'stheLord\'swill,\"saidDeaconPeabody,inasanctifiedtone,\"I\'mresignedtoit.\"
DeaconPeabodyshouldhavelivedatleastfiftyyearsearlier.Hefoundfewofhiscontemporariestoagreewithhiminhisrigidnotions.MostoftheparishsympathizedratherwiththemildertheologyofMr.Wilson.Haditbeenotherwise,hadthedeaconthoughtitpossibletoobtainapreacherinharmonywithhisownsternviews,hewouldhaveheadedamovementtogetridoftheminister.Asitwas,hecontentedhimselfwithprotesting,inpublicandprivate,againstwhatheregardedasperniciousandblindingerror.
Thishasbeenalongdigression,butthedeaconwasaprominentmaninGranville,andinterestingastherepresentativeofaclassnumerousinPuritandays.
WhenMabelenteredthedeacon\'sparlor,afterschoolwasover,shefoundsomedozenladiescongregated,includingthemostprominentmatronsofGranville.TherewerebuttwootheryoungladiesbesidesMissFrost.OneofthemwasMissClarissaBassett,theotheragrownupdaughterofthedeacon——MissCharityPeabody,whowasnotedforalackofthatvirtuewhichhadbeengivenherasadesignation.Mrs.Peabody,instrangecontrasttoherhusband,hadaheartoverflowingwithkindness.andwasdisposedtolookonthebestsideofeverybody.
\"I
amverygladtoseeyou,MissFrost,\"saidMrs.Peabodycordially,advancingtomeettheschoolteacher.\"I\'vemeanttocall,butIcouldn\'tseemtogettime.Isupposeyouknowsomeoftheseladies.I\'llintroduceyoutosuchasyoudon\'tknow.\"
SoMabelmadetheroundsandwasgenerallyintroduced.Thoughthesocietywassounlikethatinwhichshehadbeenaccustomedtomingle,shehadanaturalgraceandtactwhichcarriedherthroughtheordealeasilyandnaturally.ShefinallyfoundaseatnexttoMrs.PriscillaPulsifer,anoldladyofaninquiringturnofmind,whowasanewacquaintance,andpromptlyseizedtheopportunitytocross-examineMabel,asshehadlongdesiredtodo.
\"You\'rethenewschoolteacher,ain\'tyou?\"
\"Yes,Iam.\"
\"Howoldbeyou?\"askedtheoldlady,glaringatherthroughherglasses.
\"Twentytwo,\"answeredMabel,resentingwhatsheconsideredanimpertinentquestionbyacounterinquiry.Howoldareyou,Mrs.
Pulsifer?\"
\"Seventyone;andIain\'tashamedon\'t,either,\"answeredtheoldlady,bridling.
Mabelwasalreadysorryforherquestion.\"Ageisnotathingtobeashamedof,\"shesaid.\"Youdon\'tlooksooldasthat.\"
\"Sofolkssay,\"saidMrs.Pulsifer,quiteappeased,andresumingherinquiries:\"You\'refromthecity,ain\'tyou?\"
\"Yes.\"
\"Evertaughtafore?\"
\"Thisismyfirstschool.\"
\"Howdoyouliketeachin\'?\"
\"BetterthanIexpected.Ifeelrepaidformylaborbywatchingtheprogressofthescholars.\"
\"Howmuchwagesdoyouget?\"askedtheoldladypractically.
\"Sevendollarsaweek.\"
\"That\'spootygoodpayforasinglegal,\"remarkedMrs.Pulsifer.
\"Youdon\'thaveanybodydependentonyou?\"
\"Doyoumeanahusband,Mrs.Pulsifer?\"askedMabel,hereyessparklingwithfun.
\"I
didn\'tknowbutyoumighthaveamother,orbrotheran\'sister,tosupport.\"
\"No,\"saidMabelsadly,\"Iamaloneintheworld.\"
\"Sho!Is\'poseyoucalc\'lateonbein\'marriedsometime,\"saidtheoldlady,withdirectness.
\"PerhapsImaybe,\"saidMabel,amused,\"butIcan\'tsayI
calculateonit.\"
\"I
guessyoucangetsomebodytomarryyou,\"saidthepracticaloldlady.
\"You\'regoodlookin\',andarelikelytopleasethemen.ClarissaBassett\'striedhard,butsomehowshedon\'tmakeout.\"
MissBassettwassittingattheotherendoftheroom,and,fortunately,wasengagedinconversationwithMrs.Hayden,sothatshedidnothearthislastremark.
\"Thankyou,\"saidMabeldemurely.\"Youquiteencourageme.\"
\"IwastwentyfivemyselfbeforeIwasmarried,\"continuedMrs.
Pulsifer.\"NotbutwhatIhadoffersbefore.Maybeyou\'vehadachance?\"andtheoldladyscrutinizedMabel\'scountenance.
\"MaybeIhave,\"sheanswered,wantingtolaugh.
\"That\'sapootygownyouhaveon,\"saidMrs.Pulsifer,herattentiondivertedbyMabel\'sdress.\"Wasitmadeinthecity?\"
\"Yes.\"
\"Lookslikenicecloth,\"continuedMrs.Pulsifer,takingafoldbetweenherthumbandfinger.
\"I
thinkitis,\"answeredMabel.\"Howmuchwasitayard?\"
\"I\'mafraidIdon\'tremember,\"Mabelreplied.
Thefactis,shehadintrustedthepurchaseofhersummerdressestoherdressmaker,whorenderedherthebillinalump.Iftherewereanydetailsshedidnotrememberthem.
\"That\'sstrange,\"saidtheoldlady,staring.\"IknowthepriceofalltheclothesIeverbought.\"
\"YouprobablyhaveabettermemorythanI,\"saidMabel,hopingbythiscomplimenttoturntheattack,butinvain.
\"Haven\'tyouanyideeoftheprice?\"askedtheoldlady.
\"Itmayhavebeenadollarayard.\"
\"Howmanyyardsdidyouget?\"
\"I——
amnotsure.\"
\"Howmuchdidyoupayforthatcollar?\"
\"I
amreallysorryIcan\'ttellyou,\"saidMabel,whofeltsomewhatembarrassed.
\"Perhapsyoudon\'tliketotell.\"
\"I
wouldtellyouwithpleasure,ifIknew.\"
\"\'Pearstomeyoumustbeapoormanagernottokeepmoreaccountofyourexpenses,\"saidMrs.Pulsifer.
\"I
amafraidIam,\"saidMabel.
\"Howmanydressesdidyoubringwithyou,MissFrost?\"
Theoldlady\'scatechizingwasgettingannoying,butMabelunderstoodthatshemeantnooffenseandansweredpatiently,\"Six.\"
\"Didtheyallcostasmuchasthis?\"
\"I
shouldthinkso.\"
\"I
don\'tseehowyoucanaffordtospendsomuchondress,\"saidMrs.
Pulsifer,\"consideringyouhaveonlysevendollarsaweeksalary.\"
\"I
shalltrytobemoreprudenthereafter,Mrs.Pulsifer.\"
\"You\'dbetter.Themenwillbeafraidtomarryyouiftheythinkyou\'reextravagant.ItoldmysonJotham,`Jotham,\'saysI,`don\'tyoumarryawomanthatwantstoputallhermoneyonherback.\'SaysI,`Anextravagantwifeisacursetoamanthatwantstobeforehanded.\'\"
\"Didyoursonfollowyouradvice?\"
\"Yes;
hemarriedalikelygirlthatmakesallherowndresses.Jothamtoldmeonlylastweekthathedidn\'tbuyherbutonedressalllastyear.\"
\"Youmustbepleasedwithyourdaughter-in-law,Mrs.Pulsifer.\"
\"Yes;she\'sprettygoodaswivesgonowadays,butIdon\'tthinkshe\'sagoodcook.\"
\"Thatisapity.\"
\"Canyoucook,MissFrost?
\"I
don\'tknowmuchaboutcooking.\"
Sho!
You\'llwanttoknowhowwhenyou\'remarried.\"
\"WhenIseeanychanceofmarryingImeantotakelessons,\"saidMabel.
Justthen,toMabel\'srelief,supperwasreportedtobeready,andthemembersofthesewingsocietyfiledoutwithalacritytothesittingroom,wherealongtablewasbountifullyspreadwithhotbiscuit,preserves,andseveralkindsofcakeandpies.Themistressofthehousehold,ratherflushedbytheheatofthekitchen,welcomedherguests,andrequestedthemtotakeseats.MabeltookcarenottositintheneighborhoodofMrs.Pulsifer.Theoldlady\'scuriosityhadcometobeannoying,yetcouldnotwellberesented.
ShecongratulatedherselfonfindinghernextneighbortobeMrs.Wilson,theminister\'swife,asmallwoman,inawellwornsilk,tenyearsold,whichhadbeenheronly\"companydress\"duringthatentireperiod.Therewasalookofpatientanxietyonthegoodwoman\'sfacewhichhadbecomehabitual.Shewassorelyperplexedatalltimestomakebothendsmeet.Evennowshewasuncomfortableinmindfromthisverycause.DuringthemorningMr.Bennett,thebutcher,hadcalledattheparsonage,andurgentlyrequestedpaymentforhis\"littlebill.\"Itamountedtoonlytwentyfivedollars,buttheminister\'sstockofreadymoneywasreducedtofivedollars,andtopaythisonaccountwouldhavelefthimpenniless.Hiscandidstatementofhispecuniaryconditionwasnotwellreceived.
\"I
don\'tthinkpeopleoughttobuymeatiftheycan\'tpayforit,\"saidthebutcherbluntly.
\"Theparishisowingmemorethantheamountofyourbill,Mr.
Bennett,\"saidtheperplexedminister.\"JustassoonasIcancollectthemoney——\"
\"I
needitnow,\"saidthebutchercoarsely.\"Ihavebillstopay,andI
can\'tpaythemunlessmycustomerspayme.\"
\"I
wishIcouldpayyouatonce.\"saidMr.Wilsonwistfully.\"Wouldyoutakeanorderontheparishtreasurer?\"
\"No;he\'ssoslackitwouldn\'tdo,meanygood.Can\'tyoupayhalftoday,Mr.Wilson?\"
\"I
havebutfivedollarsonhand,Mr.Bennett;Ican\'tpayyouthewholeofthat.
Iwilldivideitwithyou.\"\"Twodollarsandahalf!Itwouldbeonlytenpercentofmybill.\"
Heclosed,however,byagreeingtotakeit;butgrumbledashedidso.
\"Thesethingstrymeagooddeal,\"saidtheminister,withasigh,afterthedepartureofhiscreditor.\"IsometimesthinkIwillleavetheprofession,andtrytofindsomebusinessthatwillpaymebetter.\"
\"Itwouldbehazardoustochangenow,Theophilus,\"saidhiswife.
\"Youhavenobusinesstraining,andwouldbeaslikelytodoworseasbetter.\"
\"Perhapsyouareright,mydear.Isupposewemustworryalong.Doyouthinkwecouldeconomizeanymorethanwedo?
\"I
don\'tseehowwecan.I\'velainawakemanyanightthinkingwhetheritwouldbepossible,butIdon\'tseehow.Wecouldn\'tpinchourtableanymorewithoutriskinghealth.\"
\"I
amafraidyouareright.\"
\"WhynotcallonMr.Ferry,thetreasurer,andseeifhecannotcollectsomemoremoneyforyou?\"
\"I
willdoso;butIfearitwillbeofnouse.\"
Theministerwasright.Mr.Ferryhandedhimtwodollars.
\"ItisallIhavebeenabletocollect,\"hesaid.\"Moneyistight,Mr.Wilson,andeverybodyputsoffpaying.\"
ThiswaswhatmadeMrs.Wilson\'sfaceashademorecarewornthanusualonthisparticularday.Toaddtohertrouble,Mrs.Bennett,thewifeofherhusband\'screditor,whowasalsoamemberofthesewingcircle,hadtreatedherwithgreatcoolness,andalmostturnedherbackuponher.Theminister\'swifewassensitive,andshefelttheslight.When,however,shefoundMabelatherside,shesmiledpleasantly.
\"I
amgladtohaveachancetothankyou,MissFrost,forthepainsyouhavetakenwithmylittleHenry.Hehasneverlearnedsofastwithanyteacherbefore.Youmusthavespecialtalentforteaching.\"
\"I
amgladifyouthinkso,Mrs.Wilson.Iamanovice,youknow.IhavesucceededbetterthanIanticipated.\"
\"Youhavesucceededinwinningthechildren\'slove.Henryisenthusiasticaboutyou.\"
\"I
don\'tthinkIshouldbewillingtoteachunlessIcouldwinthegoodwillofmyscholars,\"saidMabel,earnestly.\"Withthat,itisverypleasanttoteach.\"
\"I
canquiteunderstandyourfeelings.BeforeImarriedMr.Wilson,Iservedanapprenticeshipasateacher.IbelieveIfailedasadisciplinarian,\"sheadded,smilingfaintly.\"ThecommitteethoughtIwasn\'tstrictenough.\"
Iamnotsurprised,\"saidMabel.\"Youlooktookindtobestrict.\"
\"I
believeIwastooindulgent;butIthinkIwouldrathererrinthatthanintheoppositedirection.\"
\"I
fancy,\"saidMabel,\"thatyoumustfindyourpositionasaminister\'swifealmostasdifficultaskeepingschool.\"
\"Itcertainlyhasitshardside,\"saidMrs.Wilsoncautiously;forshedidnotventuretospeakfreelybeforesomanyofherhusband\'sparishioners.
JustthenMrs.Bennett,thebutcher\'swife,whosatontheoppositesideofthetable,interruptedtheirconversation.Shewasalarge,coarselookingwoman,witharedfaceandaloudvoice.
\"MissFrost,\"shesaid,inatoneofvoiceaudibletoalltheguests,\"Ihaveabonetopickwithyou.\"
Mabelarchedherbrows,andmettheglanceofMrs.Bennettwithquiethaughtiness.
\"Indeed!\"saidshe,coldly.
\"Yes,indeed!\"repliedMrs.Bennett,provokedbythecoolindifferenceoftheschoolteacher.
\"Pleaseexplain,\"saidMabelquietly.
\"YoupromotedtwogirlsinmyFlora\'sclass,andletherstaywhere,shewas.\"
\"I
wouldhavepromotedherifshehadbeencompetent.\"
\"Whyain\'tshecompetent?\"Mrs.Bennettwenton.
\"Ofcoursetherecanbeonlyoneanswertothatquestion,Mrs.Bennett.
Sheisnotsufficientlyadvancedinherstudies.\"
SheknowsasmuchasJuliaFletcherorMaryFerris,anyday,\"retortedMrs.
Bennett.
Supposewedeferourdiscussiontillweleavethetable,\"saidMabel,\"
findingitdifficulttoconcealherdisdainforherassailant\'sunmannerlyexhibition.
Mrs.
Bennettdidnotreply,butsheremarkedaudiblytothewomanwhosatnexttoher;\"Theschoolteacher\'sratheruppish.\'Pearstomeshe\'scarryin\'
thingswithahighhand.\"
\"Youseeaschoolteacherhashertrials,Mrs.Wilson,\"saidMabel,turningtoherneighborwitharatherfaintsmile.
\"I
feelforyou,\"saidtheminister\'swifesympathetically.
\"Thankyou,butdon\'tsupposeIminditatall.Ishallexercisemyowndiscretion,subjectonlytothecommittee.Iamwhollyindependent.\"
\"I
wishIcouldbe,\"sighedMrs.Wilson;\"butnoonecanbelesssothanaminister\'swife.\"
\"Isyourhusbandtobeherethisevening?\"askedMabel.
\"Hehasabadheadacheandwasunabletocome.Ishallgohomeearly,asI
maybeneeded.\"
Infact,abouthalfanhourlater,Mrs.Wilsonmadeanapologyandtookherleave.
\"Mrs.Wilsonislookingpaleandcareworn,\"saidMrs.Kent.
\"Don\'tyouthinkso,Mrs.Hadley?\"