\"Shehasn\'tmuchenergyabouther,\"repliedtheSquire\'swife.
\"Ifshehad,theministerwouldgetalongbetter.\"
\"I
thinkshe\'snosortofmanager,\"saidMrs.Bennett.\"Sherunsherhusbandintodebtbyhershiftlessways.\"
\"I
thinkyou\'remistaken,\"saidMrs.Prattquietly.\"Iknowherwell,andIconsiderheranadmirablemanager.Shemakesalittlegoasfarasshecan,andasfarasanyoneelsecould.\"
\"I
onlyknowmyhusbandcan\'tgethisbillpaid,\"Mrs.Bennettwenton.
\"Hepresenteditthismorning——twentyfivedollars——andonlygottwodollarsandahalf.Seemstometheremustbepoormanagementsomewhere.\"
ItwouldbeunfairtothefemininityofGranvilletosaythatMrs.Bennettwasafairspecimenofit.ExceptMrs.Hadley,therewasnotonewhodidnotlookdisgustedathercoarsenessandbadbreeding.
\"Youmustexcuseme,Mrs.Bennett,\"saidMrs.Kent,\"butIdon\'tthinkthatfollows,byanymeans,fromwhatyousay.\"
\"Thenhowdoyouexplainit?\"askedthebutcher\'swife.
\"ThetroubleisthatMr.Wilson\'ssalaryistoosmall.\"
\"Heoughttoliveonfivehundreddollarsayear,Ithink,\"saidMrs.
Hadley;\"especiallywhenhegetshisrentsocheap.\"
\"Isfivehundreddollarsactuallytheamountofhissalary?\"askedMabel,amazed.
\"Yes.\"
\"Howdoyouexpecthimtosupporthisfamilyonsuchanamountasthat?\"sheexclaimedalmostindignantly.
\"Itisverysmall,MissFrost,\"saidMrs.Pratt,\"butIamafraidwecouldn\'tpaymuchmore.Noneofusarerich.StillIthinksomethingoughttobedonetohelpMr.Wilson.Whatdoyousay,ladies,toadonationvisit?\"
\"It\'sjustthething,\"saidClarissaBassettenthusiastically.
Itmaybebetterthannothing,\"saidMrs.Kent;\"butIamafraiddonationvisitsdon\'tamounttoasmuchaswethinktheydo.\"
Theproposal,however,wasgenerallyapproved,andbeforethemeetingcloseditwasdecidedtogivetheministeradonationvisitafortnightlater.
\"Shallyoubepresent,MissFrost?\"askedMrs.Pratt.
\"Oh,yes,Iwon\'tfailtoattend.\"
\"Yourcolleague,MissBassett,alwayscarriesalargepincushiononsuchoccasions.Theministermusthaveatleastfiveofhermanufacture.\"
\"Inthatcase,\"saidMabel,smiling,\"IthinkIwillchooseadifferentgift.\"
Chapter7
Afeweveningslater,atMrs.
Pratt\'shouse,MabelmetanindividualofwhomshehadfrequentlyheardsinceherarrivalinGranville.ThiswasMr.RandolphChester,abachelorfromNewYork,whogenerallypassedpartofthesummerinthevillage.Hewasreputedtoberich,and,thoughhiswealthwasexaggerated,heactuallyhadenoughtosupportasinglemanincomfortandevenluxury.Thoughabachelor,heallowedittobeunderstoodthathewasinthematrimonialmarket,andthusreceivednolittleattentionfrommaneuveringmothers,singleladiesofuncertainage,andbloomingmaidenswhowerewillingtooverlookdisparityinageforthesakeofthewealthandpositionwhichitwasunderstoodMr.Chesterwouldbeabletogivethem.
WhydidMr.RandolphChester(helikedtobecalledbyhisfullname)summerinGranvillewhenhemighthavegonetoBarHarbororNewport?Becauseattheseplacesofresorthewouldhavebeennobody,whileinasmallNewHampshirevillagehewasagreatman.InGranvillehefelt,thoughinthishewasperhapsmistaken,thathecouldmarryanyofthevillagebellestowhomhechosetoholdouthisfinger,andthisconsciousnesswasflattering.
Onhisarrivalatthehotel,wherehehadaspecialroomreservedforhimsummeraftersummer,hewastoldofthenewschoolteacher,ayoung,beautiful,andaccomplishedgirlfromNewYork.
\"IfIlikeherlooks,\"thoughthetohimself,\"Imaymarryher.
Ofcourseshe\'spoor,ofshewouldn\'tbeteachinghereforthepaltrywagesofacountryschoolmistress,andshe\'llbegladenoughtoacceptme.\"
WhenhewasintroducedtoherMabelsawbeforeheramiddleagedman,carefullydressed,passablygoodlooking,andevidentlyverywellpleasedwithhimself.
Onhispart,hewassomewhatdazzledbytheschoolteacher\'sattractions.
\"Why,thegirlhasactualstyle,\"hesaidtohimself.\"Egad,shewouldappeartoadvantageinaNewYorkdrawingroom.Iwonderifshe\'sheardaboutme.\"
Hefeltdoubtfulonthispoint,forMabelreceivedhimwithwellbredindifference.HemissedthelittleflutterofgratifiedvanitywhichtheattentionsofsuchaneligiblepartiusuallyproducedintheyoungladiesofGranville.
\"I
believeyouarefromNewYork,myowncity,\"hesaidcomplacently.
\"I
havepassedsometimethere.\"
\"Youmust——ahem!——findaconsiderabledifferencebetweenthecityandthisvillage.\"
Undoubtedly,Mr.Chester.Ifinditapleasantrelieftobehere.\"
\"Tobesure.SodoI.IenjoyleavingthegaysaloonsofNewYorkforthegreengladesofthecountry.\"
\"I
can\'tsay,\"returnedMabelmischievously,\"thatIknowmuchaboutthesaloonsofNewYork.\"
\"OfcourseImeanthesaloonsoffashion——theshiningcirclesofgaysociety,\"saidMr.Chesterhastily,halfsuspectingthatshewaslaughingathim.\"DoyouknowtheLivingstons,MissFrost?\"
\"ThereisabakerofthatnameonSixthAvenue,Ibelieve,\"saidMabelinnocently.\"DoYoumeanhisfamily?\"
\"No,certainlynot,\"saidMr.RandolphChester,quiteshockedattheidea.\"Ihaven\'tthehonorofknowinganybakeronSixthAvenue.\"
NeitherhadMabel,butshehadfullymadeuphermindtoteaseMr.RandolphChester,whoseselfconceitsheinstinctivelydivined.
\"Thenyoudon\'tliveonSixthAvenue,\"shecontinued.\"IwonderwhereIgotthatimpression!\"
\"Certainlynot,\"saidMr.Chester,scandalized.\"IhaveapartmentsonMadisonAvenue.\"
\"I
knowwhereitis,\"saidMabel.
\"Shecan\'tmoveinanysortofsociety,andyetwhereonearthdidshegetthatairofdistinction?\"RandolphChesterreflected.\"Doyoulikeschoolteaching?\"heaskedinapatronizingtone.
\"I
finditpleasant.\"
\"I
wonderyoudonotprocureapositioninthecity,whereyoucouldobtainhigherwages.\"
\"DoyouthinkIcould?\"askedMabel.
\"Myfriend,Mr.Livingston,isoneoftheSchoolCommissioners,\"saidMr.Chester.\"Icanmentionyournametohim,andyoumightstandachancetoobtainthenextvacancy.\"
\"Thankyou,Mr.Chester,youareexceedinglykind,butIdon\'tthinkthatIwishtobecomeacandidateatpresent,\"
\"Butyouarereallythrowingawayyourtalentsinasmallcountryvillagelikethis.\"
\"I
don\'tthinkso,\"saidMabel.\"Ifindmanyofmyscholarsprettyintelligent,anditisarealpleasuretoguidethem.\"
\"Mr.RandolphChester,youmustn\'ttrytolureawayMissFrost.Wecan\'tspareher,\"saidMrs.Pratt.
\"Yousee,Mr.Chester,thatIamappreciatedhere,\"saidMabel.
\"InthecityImightnotbe.\"
\"I
think,\"saidthebachelorgallantly,\"thatyouwouldbeappreciatedanywhere.\"
\"Thankyou,Mr.Chester,\"returnedMabel,receivingthecomplimentwithoutseemingatalloverpoweredbyit;\"butyouseeyouspeakfromaveryshortacquaintance.\"
Mr.
RandolphChesterwaspiqued.Hefeltthathisattentionswerenotestimatedattheirrealvalue.Theschoolmistresscouldnotunderstandwhataneligiblepartihewas.
\"Doyouproposetoremainhereafterthesummerisover,MissFrost?\"
heasked.
\"Myplansarequiteundecided,\"saidMabel.
\"I
supposesheisn\'tsurewhethershecansecuretheschoolforthefallterm,\"thoughtthebachelor.
Therewasapianointheroom,recentlypurchasedforCarriePratt,Mrs.Pratt\'sdaughter.
\"I
wonderwhethersheplays,\"thoughtMr.Chester.\"Willyougiveussomemusic,MissFrost?\"heasked.
\"Ifyoudesireit.Whatisyourtaste?\"
\"Doyouknowanyoperaticairs?\"
\"A
few;andMabelbeganwithanairfromLaSonnambula.\"SheplayedwithadashandexecutionwhichMr.Chesterrecognized,thoughheonlypretendedtolikeoperabecauseitwasfashionable.
\"Bravo!\"heexclaimed,clappinghishandsinaffectedecstasy.
\"Reallyyouareanexcellentplayer.Isupposeyouhaveattendedtheopera?\"
\"Occasionally,\"saidMabel.
\"Andyoulikemusic?ButIneednotask.\"
\"Oh,yes,Ilikemusic.Itisoneofmygreatestpleasures.\"
\"Youwouldmakeaverysuccessfulmusicteacher,Ishouldjudge.Ishouldthinkyouwouldpreferittoteachingacountryschool.\"
\"I
likemusictoowelltoteachit.IamafraidthatIshouldfinditdrudgerytoinitiatebeginners.\"
\"Theremaybesomethinginthat.\"
\"Doyousing,MissFrost?\"askedMrs.Pratt.
\"Sometimes.\"
\"Willyousingsomething,toobligeme?\"
\"Certainly,Mrs.Pratt.Whatwouldyoulike?\"
\"I
likeballadmusic.Iamafraidmyearisnotsufficientlytrainedtolikeoperaticairs,suchasMr.RandolphChesteradmires.\"
AfterabriefpreludeMabelsanganoldballad.Hervoicewasveryflexible,andwasnotwantinginstrength.Itwasveryeasytoseethatithadbeencarefullycultivated.
Mr.
Chesterwasmoreandmoresurprisedandcharmed.\"Thatgirlisquiteoutofplacehere,\"hesaidtohimself.\"AnycommonplacegirlwoulddofortheGranvilleschoolmistress.Shedeservesamorebrilliantposition.\"
HesurveyedMabelcritically,butcouldfindnofaultwithherappearance.Shewasbeautiful,accomplished,andhadadistinguishedair.Evenifshewererelatedtothebaker\'sfamilyonSixthAvenue,ashethoughtquiteprobable,shewasfittedtoadornthe\"saloonsoffashion,\"ashecalledthem.
\"I
ratherthinkIwillmarryher,\"hethought.\"Idon\'tbelieveIcandobetter.Sheispoor,tobesure,butIhaveenoughforboth,andcanraisehertomyownpositioninsociety.\"
FortunatelyMabeldidnotknowwhatwaspassingthroughthemindoftheantiquatedbeau,as,sheregardedhim,whoamusedherbyhiscomplacentconsciousnessofhissuperiority.Whenitwasteno\'clock,sherosetogo.
\"Itwon\'tdotobedissipated,Mrs.Pratt,\"shesaid.\"Imustbegoinghome.\"
\"Permitmetoescortyou,MissFrost,\"saidMr.Chester,risingwithalacrity.
Shehesitated,butcouldthinkofnoreasonfordeclining,andtheywalkedtogethertoMrs.Kent\'s.Thedistancewas\'short——tooshort,Mr.Chesterthought,buttherewasnowayoflengtheningit.
\"I
hopetohavethepleasureofmeetingyouagainsoon,MissFrost,\"saidthebacheloratparting.
Mabelrespondedinsuitableterms,andMr.RandolphChesterwentbacktothehotelinquiteaflutterofexcitement.Thestaidbachelorwasasnearlyinloveassuchawellregulatedpersoncouldbe.
ThenexteveningMabelspentinwritingalettertoMaryBridgman,partofwhichitmaybewelltoquote.
\"You,\"shesaid,\"aretheonlypersoninmyconfidence,theonlyonewhoknowsofmypresentwhereabouts.Youwill,Ifeelsure,begladtoknowthatmyexperimentisprovingtobeasuccess.IbelieveIhaveinspiredinmypupilsarealandearnestinterestinstudy.Itgivesmegenuinepleasuretoseetheirmindsunfoldingandexpanding,daybyday,andtofeelthatIamdoinganimportantpartinguidingtheminthisintellectualgrowth.IcanassureyouthatIgetmoresatisfactionandexhilarationfromthelifeIamleadingnowthanIfoundinmylastsummer\'sroundofamusementsatNewport.
\"Whenwillitend?Howlongwillthisfitofenthusiasmlast?Ifyouaskthesequestions,Icannottellyou.Lettimedecide.
\"Youhaveheard,Isuppose,ofMr.RandolphChester,theelderlybachelorwhofavorsGranvillewithhispresenceeverysummer.Imadehisacquaintanceyesterday,whilecallinguponMrs.Pratt.Hisairofcondescensiononbeingintroducedtotheschoolteacherwasveryamusing.Hewasevidentlydisappointedbymyindifference,andseemedpiquedbyit.WhenIwasaskedtoplayIdeterminedtoproduceanimpressionuponhim,andIdidmybest.Mr.Chesterseemedsurprisedtofindacountryschoolmistresssoaccomplished.Herecommendedmetobecomeamusicteacherandofferedtoassistmetoobtainapositioninthecity,professingtoregardmeworthyofalargerfieldthanGranvilleaffords.Heofferedhisescorthome,andIaccepted.
\"TodayMr.Chesterdidmethegreathonorofvisitingmyschool.Heprofessedagreatinterestinthesubjectofeducation,butIlearn,oninquiry,thathehasneverbeforevisitedtheschool.IsuggestedtohimthatMissBassettwouldbegladtoreceiveacall;butheshruggedhisshouldersanddidnotwelcometheproposal.Ifeltamalicioussatisfactioninintroducinghimpubliclytomyscholarsasonewhotookastronginterestinthem,andannouncedthathewouldaddressthem.Myvisitorstarted,blushed,andlookedembarrassed,butretreatwasimpossible.Hemadeahaltingspeech,chieflyconsistingofcongratulationstothescholarsuponhavingsoaccomplishedandcapableateacher.Onthewholeheratherturnedthetablesuponme.
\"ItisquiteinthelineofpossibilitythatImayhaveachancetobecomeMrs.RandolphChesterbeforetheseasonisover.IfIaccepthimIshallinsistonyourbeingoneofmybridesmaids.\"
Chapter8
Granvillewasnotonthegreathighwayoftravel.Itwasoffthetrackoftheordinarytourist.Yetnowandthenapilgriminsearchofaquietnook,wheretherewasnothingtosuggestthegreatBabeloffashion,cametoanchorinitsmodesthostelry,anddreamedawaytranquilhoursundertheshadowofitsleafyelms.Occasionally,inherwalkstoandfromschool,Mabelnoticedafacewhichseemedlessathomeinvillagelanesthanincitystreets,butnonethatshehadseenbefore.
\"I
shallfinishmysummerexperimentwithoutrecognition,\"shesaidtoherselfinatoneofgratulation.Butshewasmistaken.
Withinafewrodsfromtheschoolhouse,oneafternoon,shemetayoungmanarmedwithafishingrod.Hewasofmediumheight,broadshouldered,woreabrownbeard,andhadapleasant,manlyfacelightedupbyclearandexpressiveeyes.ToMabel\'scasualglancehisfeatureslookedstrangelyfamiliar,butshecouldnotrecallthecircumstancesunderwhichtheyhadmet.
Thestrangerlookeddoubtfullyinherfaceforaninstant,thenhiscountenancebrightenedup.
\"IfIamnotmistaken,\"hesaideagerly,\"itisMissMabelFairfax.\"
Mabel,atthesoundofherrealname,lookedarounduneasily,butluckilynoneofherscholarswaswithinhearing,\"MabelFrost,\"shesaidhurriedly.
\"I
begpardon,\"repliedtheyoungman,puzzled;\"butcanIbemistaken?\"
\"No,youareright;butpleaseforgetthenameyouhavecalledmeby.HereIamMabelFrost,andIteachthevillageschool.\"
Therewasalookofwonder,mingledwithsympathy,intheyoungman\'sface.
\"I
understand,\"hesaidgently.\"Youhavebeenunfortunate;youhavelostyourfortune,andyouhaveburiedyourselfinthisoutofthewayvillage.\"
Mabelpreferredthatheshouldaccepttheexplanationthathehimselfhadsuggested.
\"Donotpityme,\"shesaid.\"Ihavenocausetocomplain.Iamhappyhere.\"
\"Howwellyoubearyourreverses!\"herepliedadmiringly.
Mabelfeltlikeahumbug;butitwasanecessaryconsequenceofthefalsepositioninwhichshehadplacedherself.
\"I
donotdeserveyourpraise,\"shesaidhonestly.\"IamsureIoughttoknowyou,\"sheadded.\"Yourfaceisfamiliar,butIcannotrecallwherewehavemet.\"
\"Thatisnotsurprising,\"hereturned.\"Iamapainter,andyoumetmeattheartists\'reception.MynameisAllanThorpe.\"
\"AllanThorpe!\"repeatedMabelwithaglowofpleasure.\"Yes,I
remember,youpaintedthatbeautiful\'SunsetinBethlehem.\'\"
\"Doyourememberit?\"askedtheartistingratifiedsurprise.
\"ItwasoneofthepicturesIlikedbest.Irememberyoutoo,Mr.
Thorpe.\"
\"I
amverygladtoherit,Miss——\"
\"Frost,\"promptedMabel,holdingupherfinger.
\"I
willtrytoremember.\"
\"AreyouspendingthesummerinGranville,Mr.Thorpe?\"
\"Yes,\"repliedAllanunhesitatingly.Hehadjustmadeuphismind.
\"Areyouengageduponanynewwork?\"
\"Notyet.Ihavebeenpaintingbusilyduringthespring,andamidlingforatime.YouseehowprofitablyIhavebeenemployedtoday,\"andhepointedtohisfishingrod.\"Ihopetogetatsomethingbyandby.MayIaskwhereyouareboarding?\"
\"AtMrs.Kent\'s.\"
\"I
congratulateyou,forIknowher.Iamatthehotelandamsometimessolitary.
MayIventuretocalluponyou?\"
\"Ifyoucalluponyourfriend,Mrs.Kent,youwillprobablyseeme,\"
saidMabel,smiling.
\"ThenIshallcertainlycalluponMrs.Kent,\"saidtheyoungman,liftinghishatrespectfully.
\"Pleasebearinmindmychangeofname,Mr.Thorpe.\"
\"Youshallbeobeyed.\"
\"Howmuchsheisimprovedbyadversity,\"thoughttheyoungman,ashesaunteredtowardsthehotel.\"Icanhardlyrealizethechange.Thesocietybellehasbecomeastaid——no,notstaid,buthardworkingcountryschoolmistress,andtakes\'thechangegaylyandcheerfully.IthoughtherbeautifulwhenIsawherinNewYork.Nowsheischarming.\"
WhatwereMabel\'sreflections?
\"Heiscertainlyveryhandsomeandverymanly,\"shesaidtoherself.
\"Hehasgenius,too.Irememberthatpaintingofhis.Hethinksmepoor,andIfeltlikeahumbugwhenhewasadmiringmeformyresignationtocircumstances.Ifitwereashethinks,IthinkImightfindafriendinhim.\"
\"I
justmetanoldacquaintance,Mrs.Kent,\"shesaidonenteringthehouse.
\"Ishestayinghere?\"askedthewidow.
\"Yes,foratime.Hetellsmeheknowsyou.\"
\"Whocanitbe?\"askedMrs.Kentwithinterest.
\"A
youngartist——AllanThorpe,\"repliedMabel.
\"Heisafineyoungman,\"saidMrs.Kentwarmly.
\"Hisappearanceisinhisfavor.\"
\"Youknow,Isuppose,thatheisMrs.Wilson\'snephew?\"
\"No,\"saidMabelwithsurprise.
\"Hismother,whodiedlastyear,wasMrs.Wilson\'ssister.Hewasagoodsontoher.AyearbeforeherdeathawealthyfriendofferedtodefrayhisexpensesfortwelvemonthsinItaly,butherefusedforhersake,thoughithasalwaysbeenhisdearestwishtogo.\"
\"Nowonderyoupraisehim.Hedeservesit,\"saidMabelwarmly.Chapter9
Threemonthsbefore,anewministerhadbeenappointedtotakechargeoftheMethodistSocietyinGranville.TheRev.AdoniramFry,inspiteofanunprepossessingname,wasamanofliberalmindandgenialtemper,whocouldneitheroriginatenorkeepupaquarrel.Inconsequencetherelationsbetweenthetwoparishesbecamemuchmorefriendly.Mr.FrytooktheinitiativeincallinguponMr.Wilson.
\"BrotherWilson,\"hesaidcordially,\"wearebothlaborersintheLord\'svineyard.Isthereanyreasonwhyweshouldstandapart?\"
\"Nonewhatever,BrotherFry,saidtheotherclergyman,hisfacelightingupwithpleasure.\"Letusbefriends.\"
\"Agreed.Ifwesettheexamplewecandrawourpeopletogether.Howisitthattheyhavebeenestrangedinyearspast?\"
\"I
canhardlytellyou.Probablytherehasbeenfaultonbothsides.\"
Thetwopastorshadapleasantchat,andwalkedtogetherdownthevillagestreet,attractingconsiderableattention.Somewerepleased,othersseemedundecidedhowtoregardthenewalliance,whileDeaconUriahPeabodyopenlydisapproved.
\"I
don\'tbelieveincountenancin\'error,\"saidhe,shakinghishead.\"Weshouldbesternanduncompromisin\'inupholdingtheright.\"
\"Whyshouldn\'tourministerbefriendlywiththeMethodistparson,deacon?\"questionedSquireHadley,whowaslessbigotedthanthedeacon.
\"I\'vemetMr.Fry,andIthinkhimawholesouledman.\"
\"Hemayhaveawholesoul,\"retortedthedeacon,withgrimhumor;
\"butit\'saquestionwhetherhe\'llsaveitifheholdstohisMethodistdoctrines.\"
\"Don\'ttheMethodistsandCongregationalistsbelieveverymuchalike?\"askedtheSquire.
\"Howcanyouasksuchaquestion,Squire?\"askedthedeacon,scandalized.
\"Buthowdotheydiffer?Iwishyou\'dtellmethat.\"
\"TheMethodistshavebishops.\"
\"Thatisn\'tamatterofdoctrine.\"
\"Yes,itis;theysayit\'saccordin\'toScripturetohavebishops.\"
\"Isthatallthedifference?\"
\"It\'senough.\"
\"Enoughtopreventtheirbeingsaved?\"
\"It\'sanerror,andallerrorisdangerous.\"
\"ThenyoudisapproveoffriendshipbetweenourpeopleandtheMethodists?
\"Yes,\"saidthedeaconemphatically.
\"Wouldn\'tyousellacowtoaMethodistifyoucouldgetagoodprofit?\"
\"That\'sdifferent,\"saidDeaconPeabody,whowasfondofatrade.
\"Tradin\'isonethingandspiritualintercourseisanother.\"
\"I
can\'tagreewithyou,deacon.IlikewhatI\'veseenofMr.Fry,andIhopehe\'lldrawustogetherinfriendlyfeelingwithoutregardtoourattendanceatdifferentchurches.\"
WhenFastDaycameMr.WilsonproposedthatthereshouldbeaunionserviceintheMethodistchurch,Mr.Frytopreachthesermon.
\"Inthetwosocieties,\"heurged,therewillnotbeenoughpeopledesirousofattendingchurchtomakemorethanafairsizedcongregation.
Nothingsectarianneedbepreached.Therearedoctrinesenoughinwhichwejointlybelievetoaffordthepreacherallthescopeheneeds.\"
Mr.Frycordiallyacceptedthesuggestion,andtheunionservicewasheld;butDeaconUriahPeabodywasconspicuousbyhisabsence.
\"I
don\'tliketolosemygospelprivileges,\"hesaid;\"butIcan\'tconsortwithMethodistsorenteraMethodistchurch.It\'sagin\'myprinciples.\"
OldMrs.Slocumsympathizedwiththedeacon;butcuriositygotthebetterofprinciple,andsheattendedtheservice,listeningwithkeenearedandvigilantattentionforsomethingwithwhichshecoulddisagree.Inthisshewasdisappointed;therewasnothingtostartleorshockthemostexactingCongregationalist.
\"Whatdidyouthinkofthesermon?\"askedSquireHadley,ashefellinwiththeoldladyonthewayhome.
\"Itsoundedwellenough,\"shereplied,shakingherheadbutappearancesaredeceitful.\"
\"WouldyouhavebeensatisfiedifyouhadheardthesamesermonfromMr.
Wilson?\"
\"I
wouldhaveknownitwasallrightthen,\"saidMrs.Slocum.\"Youcan\'tnevertellabouttheseMethodists.\"
ButDeaconPeabodyandMrs.Slocumwereexceptions.Mostofthepeopleweresatisfied,andtheunionserviceledtoamoresocialandharmoniousfeeling.
ForthefirsttimeinthreeyearsMrs.JohnKeith,Congregationalist,tookteaatthehouseofMrs.HenryKeith,Methodist.Thetwofamilies,thoughthehusbandswerebrothers,hadbeenkeptapartbysectariandifferences,eachbeingprominentinhischurch.Thetwoministersrejoicedinthemorecordialfeelingwhichhadgrownoutoftheirownpleasantpersonalrelations,andtheyfrequentlycalleduponeachother.
OneresultoftherestoredharmonybetweenthetworeligioussocietieswasaunionpicnicoftheSundayschoolsconnectedwitheach.Itbecameageneralaffair,anditwasunderstoodthatnotonlythechildren,buttheolderpeople,wouldparticipateinit.TheplaceselectedwasagroveonthesummitofalittlehillslopingdowntoThurber\'sPond,asheetofwatersometimesdesignatedasalake,thoughscarcelyamileincircumference.
Fromthefirst,Mr.RandolphChesterintendedtoinviteMabeltoaccompanyhim.Theattentionwouldlookpointed,headmittedtohimself;buthewasquitepreparedforthat.SofarashisheartwascapableofbeingtouchedMabelhadtouchedit.Hewasnotthemantoentertainagrandpassion,andneverhadbeen;buthisadmirationofthenewschoolteacherwassuchthatarefusalwouldhaveentaileduponhimseriousdisappointment.Ofrivalry——thatis,ofseriousrivalry——Mr.Chesterhadnoapprehension.OneafternoonheencounteredAllanThorpewalkingwithMabel,andhewasnotquitepleased,forhehadmentallymonopolizedher.ButhewouldhavelaughedattheideaofMabel\'spreferringMr.Thorpe.Hewashandsome,andyoungerbytwentyfiveyears;buthewas,touseMr.Chester\'sownterm,\"abeggarlyartist.\"
IfsheshouldmarryThorpeshewouldhavetoliveonromanceandmoonshine.Artistsraveaboutthetrueandthebeautiful,buttheydonotpaycash,\"Randolphsaidtohimself,ratherdisdainfully.
TwodaysbeforethepicnicMr.ChestercalledatMrs.Kent\'sandinquired,inatoneofsomeimportance,forMissFrost.Mabelmadeherappearanceintheparlorwithoutunnecessarydelay.
\"I
hopeIseeyouwell,MissFrost,\"saidMr.Chester,withasmilethatwasmeanttobecaptivating.
\"Thankyou,Mr.Chester;Ihaveseldombeenbetter.\"
\"I
hopeyouareenjoyingyoursummerinGranville.\"
\"IndeedIam,\"answeredMabelheartily.
\"Wherewereyoulastsummer,MissFrost?\"
Mabelhesitated.ShedidnotliketosaythatshespentthegreaterpartoftheseasonatNewport,sincethiswouldprobablyleadtofurtherquestionsonthesubject,andpossiblyexposehersecret.
\"I
wasinthecitypartofthetime,\"sheansweredevasively.