AChristmasRomanceofaCountryChurchbyKateDouglasWiggin
DedicationToacertainhandfulofdearNewEnglandwomenofnamesunknowntotheworld，dwellinginacertainquietvillage，alikeunknown：—
Wehaveworkedtogethertomakeourlittlecornerofthegreatuniverseapleasanterplaceinwhichtolive，andsoweknow，notonlyoneanother’snames，butsomethingofoneanother’sjoysandsorrows，caresandburdens，economies，hopes，andanxieties。
Weallrememberthedustyuphillroadthatleadstothegreenchurchcommon。Werememberthewhitespirepointingupwardagainstabackgroundofblueskyandfeatheryelms。WerememberthesoundofthebellthatfallsontheSabbathmorningstillness，callingusacrossthedaisy—sprinkledmeadowsofJune，thegoldenhayfieldsofJuly，orthedazzlingwhitenessanddeepsnowdriftsofDecemberdays。Thelittlecabinet—organthatplaysthedoxology，thehymn—
booksfromwhichwesing\"PraiseGodfromwhomallblessingsflow，\"
thesweetfreshnessoftheoldmeeting—house，withinandwithout——
howwehavetoiledtosecureandpreservethesehumblemerciesforourselvesandourchildren！
TherereallyISaDorcasSociety，asyouandIwellknow，andonenotunlikethatinthesepages；andyouandIhavelivedthroughmanydiscouraging，laughable，andbeautifulexperienceswhileweemulatedtheBibleDorcas，thatwoman\"fullofgoodworksandalmsdeeds。\"
ThereneverwasaPeabodyPewintheToryHillMeeting—House，andNancy’slovestoryandJustin’sneverhappenedwithinitscentury—
oldwalls；butIhaveimaginedonlyoneofthemanyromancesthathavehadtheirbirthundertheshadowofthatsteeple，didwebutrealizeit。
Asyouhavesatthereonopen—windowedSundays，lookingacrosspurpleclover—fieldstobluedistantmountains，watchingthepalm—
leaffansswayingtoandfrointhewarmstillnessbeforesermontime，didnottheplaceseemfullofmemories，forhasnotthelifeoftwovillagesebbedandflowedbeneaththatancientroof？Youheardthehumofdroningbeesandfollowedtheairywingsofbutterfliesflutteringoverthegravestonesintheoldchurchyard，andunderneathalmosteverymoss—growntabletsomehumbleromanceliesburiedandallbutforgotten。
Ifithadnotbeenforyou，Ishouldneverhavewrittenthisstory，soIgiveitbacktoyoutiedwithasprigfromOphelia’snosegay；
aspringof\"rosemary，that’sforremembrance。\"
K。D。W。
August，1907
CHAPTERI
Edgewood，likealltheothervillagesalongthebanksoftheSaco，isfullofsunnyslopesandleafyhollows。Therearelittle，rounded，green—cladhillocksthatmight，liketheirscripturalsisters，\"skipwithjoy，\"andtherearegrand，rockyhillstuftedwithgauntpinetrees——theseleadingtheeyetothesplendidheightsofaneighbourState，wheresnow—crownedpeakstowerinthebluedistance，sweepingthehorizoninalonglineofmajesty。
ToryHillholdsitsownamongtheothersforpeacefulbeautyandfairprospect，andonitsbroad，levelsummitsitsthewhite—
paintedOrthodoxMeeting—House。Thisfacesagrassycommonwheresixroadsmeet，asiftheearlysettlershaddeterminedthatnooneshouldlacksalvationbecauseofadifficultyinreachingitsvisiblesource。
Theoldchurchhashadadignifiedandfruitfulpast，datingfromthatdayin1761whenyoungPaulCoffinreceivedhiscalltopreachatastipendoffiftypoundssterlingayear；answering\"thatneverhavingheardofanyUneasinessamongthepeopleabouthisDoctrineormanneroflife，hedeclaredhimselfpleasedtoSettleasSoonasmightbeJudgedConvenient。\"
Butthatwasahundredandfiftyyearsago，andmuchhashappenedsincethosesimple，strenuousolddays。Thechasteninghandoftimehasbeenlaidsomewhatheavilyonthetownaswellasonthechurch。Someofhersonshavemarchedtothewarsanddiedonthefieldofhonour；some，seekingbetterfortunes，havegonewestward；
others，wearyingofvillagelife，therockysoil，andrigoursoffarm—work，havebecomeentangledinthenoiseandcompetition，therushandstrife，ofcities。Whenthesextonringsthebellnowadays，onaSundaymorning，itseemstohavelostsomeofitsold—timemilitantstrength，somethingofitshopeandcourage；butitstillrings，andalthoughtheDavidsandSolomons，theMatthews，Marks，andPaulsofformercongregationshaveleftfewdescendantstoperpetuatetheirlabours，itwillgoonringingaslongasthereisaTabitha，aDorcas，aLois，oraEuniceleftinthecommunity。
Thissentimenthadbeenmaintainedforaquarterofacentury，butitwasnowespeciallystrong，astheoldToryHillMeeting—Househadbeenundergoingforseveralyearsmoreorlessextensiverepairs。Inpointoffact，thestillstrongerword，\"improvements，\"mightbeusedwithimpunity；thoughwhenevertheDorcasSociety，beingfemale，andthereforepossessedofnotionsregardingcomfortandbeauty，suggestedanyseriouschanges，thefinancecommittees，whichwereinevitablymaleintheircomposition，generallydisapprovedofmakinganyimpiousalterationsinatabernacle，chapel，temple，oranyotherbuildingusedforpurposesofworship。Themajorityintheseaugustbodiesassertedthattheirancestorshadprayedandsungthereforacenturyandaquarter，andwhatwasgoodenoughfortheirancestorswasentirelysuitableforthem。Besides，thecommunitywasbecominglessandlessprosperous，andchurch—goingwasgrowingmoreandmorelamentablyuncommon，sothatevenfromabusinessstandpoint，anysumsexpendedupondecorationbyapoorandstrugglingparishwouldbeworsethanwasted。
Intheparticularyearunderdiscussioninthisstory，thevaliantandprogressiveMrs。JeremiahBurbankwasthepresidentoftheDorcasSociety，andsheremarkedprivatelyandpubliclythatifherancestorslikedasmokychurch，theyhadaperfectrighttotheenjoymentofit，butthatshedidn’tintendtositthroughmeetingonwinterSundays，withherwhiteostrichfeatherturninggreyandhereyessmartingandwatering，fortherestofhernaturallife。
Whereupon，thisbeinginabusinesssession，shethenandthereproposedtoheralreadyhypnotizedconstituentswaysofearningenoughmoneytobuildanewchimneyontheothersideofthechurch。
Anawe—strickencommunitywitnessedthisbeneficentactofvandalism，and，findingthatnothunderboltsofretributiondescendedfromtheskies，greatlyrelishedthechange。Ifoneortwoagedpersonscomplainedthattheycouldnotsleepassweetlyduringsermon—timeinthenowclearatmosphereofthechurch，andthattheparson’seyewaskeenerthanbefore，why，thatwasameredetail，andcouldnotbeavoided；whatwasthelossofalittlesleepcomparedwiththediscolorationofMrs。JereBurbank’swhiteostrichfeatherandthesmartingofMrs。JereBurbank’seyes？
Anewfurnacefollowedthenewchimney，induecourse，andasasenseofcomfortgrew，therewasopportunitytonoticethelackofbeauty。Twiceinsixtyyearshadsomewell—to—dosummerparishionerpaintedtheinteriorofthechurchathisownexpense；
butalthoughtheroofhadbeenmanytimesreshingled，ithadalwayspersistedinleaking，sothattheceilingandwallsweredisfiguredbyunsightlyspotsandstainsandstreaks。Thequestionofshinglingwastacitlyfelttobeoutsidethefemininedomain，butastherewerefivewomentoonemaninthechurchmembership，thefemininedomainwasfrequentlyobligedtoextenditslimitsintothehithertounknown。Mattersoftarringandwater—proofingwerediscussedinandoutofseason，andtheveryschool—childrenimbibedknowledgeconcerninglapping，overlapping，andcross—
lapping，andfirstandsecondqualityofcedarshingles。MissLobeliaBrewster，whohadarooteddistrustofanythingdonebymereman，createdstrifebyremarkingthatshecouldhavestoppedtheleakinthebelfrytowerwithherredflannelpetticoatbetterthantheMilltownmanwithhisnew—fangledrubbersheeting，andthatthelastshinglingcouldhavebeenmorethoroughlydonebya\"femaleinfantbabe\"；whereuponthepersoncriticizedretortedthathewishedMissLobeliaBrewsterhadafewinfantbabesto\"putonthejob——he’dliketosee’emtry。\"Meantimeseveralmalemembersofthecongregation，whoatonetimeoranotherhadsatontheroofduringthehottestofthedogdaystoseethatshinglingoperationswe’reconscientiouslyandskilfullyperformed，wereverypessimisticastoanysatisfactoryresulteverbeingachieved。
\"Theangleoftheroof——whattheycallthe’pitch’——theysaythatthat’salwaysbeenwrong，\"announcedthesecretaryoftheDorcasinabusinesssession。
\"IsitthatkindofpitchthattheBiblesaysyoucan’ttouchwithoutbeingdefiled？Ifnot，Ivotethatweunshingletheroofandalterthepitch！\"ThisproposalcamefromasisternamedMariaSharp，whohadvaliantlyofferedtheyearbeforetomovethesmokychimneywithherownhands，ifthe\"men—folks\"wouldn’t。
Butthoughtheincendiarysuggestionofalteringthepitchwasreceivedwithapplauseatthemoment，subsequentstudyofthesituationprovedthatsuchaproceedingwasentirelybeyondthemodestmeansofthesociety。Thentherearoseaningeniousandmilitantcarpenterinaneighbouringvillage，whoassertedthathewouldshinglethemeeting—houseroofforsuchandsuchasum，andagreetodrinkeverydropofwaterthatwouldleakinafterward。
Thiswasfeltbyallpartiestobeapromiseattendedbyextraordinaryrisks，butitwasacceptednevertheless，MissLobeliaBrewsterremarkingthattherashcarpenter，beingalreadymarried，couldnotmarryaDorcasanyway，andevenifhedied，hewasnotaresidentofEdgewood，andthereforecouldbemoreeasilyspared，andthatitwouldberatherexciting，justforachange，toseeamandrinkhimselftodeathwithrain—water。Theexpectedtragedyneveroccurred，however，andtheinspiredshinglerfulfilledhispromisetotheletter，sothatbeforemanymonthstheDorcasSocietyproceeded，withincredibleexertion，toearnmoremoney，andtheinteriorofthechurchwasneatlypaintedandmadeasfreshasarose。Withnosmoke，norain，nosnownormeltingicetodefileit，thegoodoldlandmarkthathadbeenpointingitsfingerHeavenwardforoveracenturywouldnowbecleanandfragrantforyearstocome，andthewearysistersleanedbackintheirrespectiverocking—chairsanddrewdeepbreathsofsatisfaction。
Thesebreathscontinuedtobedrawnthroughoutanunusuallyarduoushayingseason；until，infact，avisitorfromaneighbouringcitywasheardtoremarkthattheToryHillMeeting—HousewouldbeoneofthebestpreservedandpleasantestchurchesinthewholeStateofMaine，ifonlyitweresuitablycarpeted。
ThisthoughthadsecretlyoccurredtomanyaDorcasinherhoursofpie—making，preserving，orcradle—rocking，buthadbeenpromptlyextinguishedasflagrantlyextravagantandaltogetherimpossible。
Nowthatithadbeenopenlymentioned，thecontagionoftheideaspread，andinamontheverysortofhonestmachineryfortheincreaseoffundshadbeensetinmotion：harvestsuppers，piesociables，oldfolk’sconcerts，apronsales，and，asalastresort，asubscriptionpaper，forthechurchfloormeasuredhundredsofsquareyards，andthecarpetcommitteeannouncethatagoodingraincouldnotbepurchased，evenwiththechurchdiscount，forlessthanninety—sevencentsayard。
TheDorcasestookouttheirpencils，andwhentheymultipliedthesurfaceofthefloorbythepriceofthecarpetperyard，eachDorcasattainingaresultentirelydifferentfromalltheothers，therewasashriekofdismay，especiallyfromthesecretary，whohadincludedinhermathematicaloperationcertainfiguresinherpossessionrepresentingthecubicalcontentsofthechurchandtheoffendingpitchoftheroof，therebyobtainingaproductthatwouldhavedismayedaCroesus。Timespedandeffortsincreased，buttheDorcaseswereatlengthobligedtoclipthewingsoftheirdesireandcontentthemselveswithcarpetingthepulpitandpulpitsteps，thechoir，andthetwoaisles，leavingthefloorinthepewsuntilsomefutureyear。
Howthewomencutandcontrivedandmatchedthathardly—boughtredingraincarpet，intheshortDecemberafternoonsthatensuedafteritspurchase；sothat，havingfailedtobereadyforThanksgiving，itcouldbefinishedfortheChristmasfestivities！
Theyweresewinginthechurch，andasthelaststitcheswerebeingtaken，MariaSharpsuddenlyejaculatedinherimpulsivefashion：—
\"Wouldn’tithavebeenjustperfectifwecouldhavehadthepewsrepaintedbeforewelaidthenewcarpet！\"
\"Itwould，indeed，\"thepresidentanswered；\"butitwilltakeusallwintertopayforthepresentimprovements，withoutanythoughtoffreshpaint。Ifonlywehadafewmoremen—folkstohelpalong！\"
\"Orelsenoneatall！\"wasLobeliaBrewster’ssuggestion。\"It’shavin’sofewthatkeepsusallstirredup。Iftherewa’n’tanyanywheres，we’dhavewomendeaconsandcarpentersandpainters，andgetalongfirstrate；forsomehowthesupplyo’womenalwaysholdsout，sameasitdoeswithcaterpillarsan’fliesan’grasshoppers！\"
Everybodylaughed，althoughMariaSharpassertedthatsheforonewasnotwillingtobecalledacaterpillarsimplybecausethereweretoomanywomenintheuniverse。
\"Inevernoticedbeforehowshabbyandscarredanddirtythepewsare，\"saidtheminister’swifeasshelookedatthemreflectively。
\"I’vebeenthinkingalltheafternoonofthestoryaboutthepooroldwomanandthelily，\"andNancyWentworth’sclearvoicebrokeintothediscussion。\"DoyouremembersomeonegaveherastalkofEasterliliesandshesettheminaglasspitcheronthekitchentable？Afterlookingatthemforafewminutes，shegotupfromherchairandwashedthepitcheruntiltheglassshone。Sittingdownagain，sheglancedatthelittlewindow。Itwouldneverdo；
shehadforgottenhowdustyandblurreditwas，andshetookherclothandburnishedthepanes。Thenshescouredthetable，thenthefloor，thenblackenedthestovebeforeshesatdowntoherknitting。Andofcoursethelilyhaddoneitall，justbyshowing，initswhiteness，howgrimyeverythingelsewas。\"
Theminister’swifewhohadbeeninEdgewoodonlyafewmonths，lookedadmiringlyatNancy’sbrightface，wonderingthatfive—and—
thirtyyearsoflife，includingtenofschool—teaching，haddonesolittletomaritsserenity。\"Thelilystoryisastrueasthegospel！\"sheexclaimed，\"andIcanseehowonethinghasledyoutoanotherinmakingthechurchcomfortable。Butmyhusbandsaysthattwocoatsofpaintonthepewswouldcostaconsiderablesum。\"
\"Howaboutcleaningthem？Idon’tbelievethey’vehadagoodhardwashingsincetheflood。\"ThesuggestioncamefromDeaconMiller’swifetothepresident。
\"Theycan’tevenbescrubbedforlessthanfifteenortwentydollars，forIthoughtofthatandaskedMrs。Simpsonyesterday，andshesaidtwentycentsapewwasthecheapestshecoulddoitfor。\"
\"We’vedoneeverythingelse，\"saidNancyWentworth，withatwitchofherthread；\"whydon’twescrubthepews？There’snothingintheorthodoxcreedtoforbid，isthere？\"
\"Speakin’o’creeds，\"andhereoldMrs。Sargentpausedinherwork，\"ElderRansomfromAcrevillestoppedwithuslastnight，an’hetellsmetheyrecitetheEuthanasianCreedeveryfewSundaysintheEpiscopalChurch。Ididn’twanthimtoknowhowignorantIwas，butIlookedupthewordinthedictionary。Itmeanseasydeath，andIcan’tseeanysenseinthat，thoughit’saterriblelongcreed，theEldersays，an’ifit’sanylonger’nourn，IshouldthinkanybodyMIGHTeasydielearnin’it！\"
\"IthinkthewordisAthanasian，\"venturedtheminister’swife。
\"ElderRansom’salwaysplumbfullo’doctrine，\"assertedMissBrewster，pursuingthesubject。\"Formypart，I’mgladhepreferredAcrevilletoourplace。Hewassobusybein’aminister，henevergotroundtobein’ahumancreeter。Whenheusedtocometosociablesandpicnics，alwayslookin’kindo’likethepotatoblight，Iusedtothinkhowcompletehe’dbeifhehadafoldin’
pulpitunderhiscoattails；theymakefoldin’bedsnowadays，an’I
s’posetheycouldmakefoldin’pulpits，iftherewasacall。\"
\"Landsakes，Ihopetherewon’tbe！\"exclaimedMrs。Sargent。\"An’
theElderneversaidmuchofanythingeither，thoughhewasalwayspreachin’！Nowyourhusband，Mis’Baxter，alwayshasplentytosayafteryouthinkhe’sallthrough。There’swaterinhiswellwhentheothersisalldry！\"
\"Buthowaboutthepews？\"interruptedMrs。Burbank。\"IthinkNancy’sideaissplendid，andIwanttoseeitcarriedout。Wemightmakeitapicnic，bringourluncheons，andworkalltogether；
leteverywomaninthecongregationcomeandscrubherownpew。\"
\"Somearetooold，othersliveattoogreatadistance，\"andtheminister’swifesighedalittle；\"indeed，mostofthosewhoonceownedthepewsorsatinthemseemedtobedead，orgoneawaytoliveinbusierplaces。\"
\"I’venopatiencewith’em，gallivantin’overtheearth，\"andhereLobeliaroseandshookthecarpetthreadsfromherlap。\"I
shouldn’twanttoliveinalivelierplacethanEdgewood，seem’sthough！WewashandhangoutMondays，ironTuesdays，cookWednesdays，cleanhouseandmendThursdaysandFridays，bakeSaturdays，andgotomeetin’Sundays。Idon’thardlyseehowtheycandoanymore’nthatinChicago！\"
\"Nevermindifwehavelostmembers！\"saidtheindomitableMrs。
Burbank。\"Thememberswestillhaveleftmustworkalltheharder。
We’lleachcleanourownpew，thentakeafewofourneighbours’，andthenhireMrs。Simpsontodothewainscotingandfloor。CanwescrubFridayandlaythecarpetSaturday？MyhusbandandDeaconMillercanhelpusattheendoftheweek。Allinfavourmanifestitbytheusualsign。Contraryminded？Itisavote。\"
ThereneverwereanycontrarymindedwhenMrs。JereBurbankwasinthechair。PublicsentimentinEdgewoodwasswayedbytheDorcasSociety，butMrs。BurbankswayedtheDorcasesthemselvesasthewindswaysthewheat。
CHAPTERII
TheoldMeetingHouseworeananimatedaspectwhentheeventfulFridaycame，acold，brilliant，sparklingDecemberday，withgoodsleighing，andwithenergyineverybreaththatsweptoverthedazzlingsnowfields。Thesextonhadbuiltafireinthefurnaceonthewaytohismorningwork——afiresoeconomicallycontrivedthatitwouldlastexactlythefourorfivenecessaryhours，andnotasecondmore。Ateleveno’clockallthepillarsofthesocietyhadassembled，havingfinishedtheirownhouseholdworkandlaidoutontheirrespectivekitchentablescomfortableluncheonsforthemenofthefamily，iftheywerefortunateenoughtonumberanyamongtheirluxuries。Waterwasheateduponoil—stovessetabouthereandthere，andtherewasabravearrayofscrubbing—brushes，cloths，soap，andevensandandsoda，forithadbeendecidedandmanifested—by—the—usual—sign—and—no—contrary—minded—and—it—was—a—
votethatthedirtwastocomeoff，whetherthepaintcamewithitornot。Eachofthefifteenwomenpresentselectedablockofseats，preferablyoneinwhichherownwassituated，andallfellbusilytowork。
\"Thereisnobodyheretocleantheright—wingpews，\"saidNancyWentworth，\"soIwilltakethoseformyshare。\"
\"You’renotmakingaverywisechoice，Nancy，\"andtheminister’swifesmiledasshespoke。\"TheinfantclassoftheSunday—schoolsitsthere，youknow，andIexpectthepainthashadextrawearandtear。Familiesdon’tseemtooccupythosepewsregularlynowadays。\"
\"Icanrememberwheneveryseatinthewholechurchwasfilled，wingsan’all，\"musedMrs。Sargent，wringingoutherwasclothinareminiscentmood。\"Theoneinfronto’you，Nancy，wasalwayscalledthe’deefpew’intheoldtimes，andallthefolksthatwashardo’hearin’usedtocongregatethere。\"
\"Thenextpewhasn’tbeenoccupiedsinceIcamehere，\"saidtheminister’swife。
\"No，\"answeredMrs。Sargent，gladofanyopportunitytoretailneighbourhoodnews。\"’SquireBean’sfolkshavemovedtoPortlandtobewiththemarrieddaughter。Somebodyhastostaywithher，andherhusbandwon’t。The’Squireain’tastrongman，andhe’smosttoooldtogotomeetin’now。TheyoungestsonhasjustdiedinNewYork，soIhear。\"
\"Whatailedhim？\"inquiredMariaSharp。
\"Iguesshewascompletelyworeouttakin’careofhishealth，\"
returnedMrs。Sargent。\"Hehadasplendidconstitutionfromaboy，buthewasalwaysafraiditwouldn’tlasthim。——Theseatbacko’
’SquireBean’sistheoldPeabodypew——ain’tthatthePeabodypewyou’rescrubbin’，Nancy？\"
\"Ibelieveso，\"Nancyanswered，neverpausinginherlabours。
\"It’ssolongsinceanybodysatthere，it’shardtoremember。\"
\"ItisthePeabodys’，Iknowit，becausetheaislerunsrightupfacin’it。IcanseeoldDeaconPeabodysettin’inthisendsameasif’twasyesterday。\"
\"HehaddiedbeforeJereandIcamebackheretolive，\"saidMrs。
Burbank。\"ThefirstIremember，JustinPeabodysatintheendseat；thesisterthatdied，next，andinthecorner，againstthewall，Mrs。Peabody，withacrepeshawlandapalmleaffan。Theywereahandsomefamily。Youusedtositwiththemsometimes，Nancy；Estherwasgreatfriendswithyou。\"
\"Yes，shewas，\"Nancyreplied，liftingthetatteredcushionfromitsplaceandbrushingit；\"andIwithher。——Whatistheuseofscrubbingandcarpeting，whenthereareonlytwentypew—cushionsandsixhassocksinthewholechurch，andmostofthemragged？HowcanIevermendthis？\"
\"Ishouldn’ttroublemyselftodarnotherpeople’scushions！\"
ThisunchristiansentimentcameinMrs。Miller’sringingtonesfromtherearofthechurch。
\"Idon’tknowwhy，\"arguedMariaSharp。\"I’mgoingtomendmyAuntAchsa’scushion，andwehaven’tspokenforyears；buthersisthenextpewtomine，andI’mgoingtohavemypartofthechurchlookdecent，evenifsheistoostingytodohershare。Besides，therearen’tanyPeabodyslefttodotheirowndarning，andNancywasfriendswithEsther。\"
\"Yes，it’snothingmorethanright，\"Nancyreplied，withanoteofreliefinhervoice，\"consideringEsther。\"
\"Thoughhedon’tbelongtothescrubbin’sex，thereisonePeabodyalive，asyouknow，ifyoustoptothink，Maria；forJustin’salive，andlivin’outWestsomewheres。Atleast，he’sasmuchaliveaseverhewas；hewasasgoodasdeadwhenhewastwenty—
one，buthismotherwasalwaystoosoft—heartedtoburyhim。\"
TherewasconsiderablelaughteroverthissallyoftheoutspokenMrs。Sargent，whosekeenwitwasthedelightoftheneighbourhood。
\"Iknowhe’saliveanddoingbusinessinDetroit，forIgothisaddressaweekortendaysago，andwrote，askinghimifhe’dliketogiveacoupleofdollarstowardrepairingtheoldchurch。\"
EverybodylookedatMrs。Burbankwithinterest。
\"Hasn’theanswered？\"askedMariaSharp。
NancyWentworthheldherbreath，turnedherfacetothewall，andsilentlywipedthepaintofthewainscoting。ThebloodthathadrushedintohercheeksatMrs。Sargent’sjeeringreferencetoJustinPeabodystilllingeredthereforanyonewhorantoread，butfortunatelynobodyran；theyweretoobusyscrubbing。
\"Notyet。Folksdon’thurryaboutansweringwhenyouaskthemforacontribution，\"repliedthepresident，withacynicismcommontopersonswhocollectfundsforcharitablepurposes。\"GeorgeWickhamsentmetwenty—fivecentsfromDenver。WhenIwrotehimareceipt，IsaidthankyousameasAuntPollydidwhentheneighboursbroughtherapieceofbeef：’Eversomuchobleeged，butdon’tforgetmewhenyoucometokillapig。’——Now，Mrs。Baxter，youshan’tcleanJamesBruce’spew，orwhatwashisbeforeheturnedSecondAdvent。
I’lldothatmyself，forheusedtobeinmySunday—schoolclass。\"
\"He’sthebackboneo’thatcongregationnow，\"assertedMrs。
Sargent，\"andtheysayhe’sgoin’tomarryMrs。SamPeters，whosingsintheirchoirassoonashisyearisup。Theymakeaperfectfoolofhiminthatchurch。\"
\"Youcan’tmakeafoolofamanthatnatureain’tbegunwith，\"
arguedMissBrewster。\"JimBruceneverwasverystrong—minded，butIdeclareitseemstomethatwhenmenlosetheirwives，theylosetheirwits！IwassureJimwouldmarryHannahThompsonthatkeepshouseforhim。Isuspectedshewaslookin’outforalifejobwhenshehiredoutwithhim。\"
\"HannahThompsonmaykeepJim’shouse，butshe’llneverkeepJim，that’scertain！\"affirmedthepresident；\"andIcan’tseethatMrs。
Peterswillbetterherselfmuch。\"
\"Idon’tblameher，forone！\"cameinnouncertaintonesfromtheleft—wingpews，andtheWidowBuzzellrosefromherkneesandapproachedthegroupbythepulpit。\"Ifthere’sanythingdullerthancookin’threemealsadayFORyourself，andsettin’downandeatin’’emBYyourself，andthengettin’upandclearin’’emawayAFTERyourself，I’dliketoknowit！Ishouldn’twantanygood—
lookin’，pleasant—spokenmantoofferhimselftomewithoutheexpectedtobesnappedup，that’sall！Butifyou’vemadeouttogetonehusbandinYorkCounty，youcanthanktheLordandnotexpectanymorefavours。IusedtothinkTomwaspoorcomp’nyandcomplainIcouldn’thaveanyconversationwithhim，butland，I
couldtalkathim，andthere’sconsiderablecomfortinthat。AndI
couldpickupafterhim！Noweveryroominmyhouseisclean，andeveryclosetandbureaudrawer，too；Ican’tstartdrawin’inanotherrug，forI’vegotalltherugsIcanstepfooton。IdriedsomanyappleslastyearIshan’tneedtocutupanythisseason。
Myjellyandpreservesain’tout，andthereIam；andtheremostofusare，inthisvillage，withoutamantotakestepsforandtrot’roundafter！There’sjustthreehusbandsamongthefifteenwomenscrubbin’herenow，andtherestofusisalloldmaidsandwidders。Nowonderthemen—folksdie，ormoveawaylikeJustinPeabody；aplacewithsuchamesso’women—folksain’thealthytolivein，whateverLobeliaBrewstermaysay。\"
CHAPTERIII
JustinPeabodyhadoncefaithfullystruggledwiththepracticaldifficultiesoflifeinEdgewood，orsohehadthought，inthoseolddaysofwhichNancyWentworthwasthinkingasshewipedthepaintofthePeabodypew。Workinthemillsdidnotattracthim；
hehadnocapitaltoinvestinastockofgoodsforstore—keeping；
school—teachingofferedhimonlyapittance；thereremainedthenonlythefarm，ifheweretostayathomeandkeephismothercompany。
\"Justindon’tseemtotakenoholtofthings，\"saidtheneighbours。
\"GoodHeavens！\"Itseemedtohimthattherewerenothingstotakeholdof！Thatwashisfirstthought；laterhegrewtothinkthatthetroublealllayinhimself，andboththoughtsbredweakness。
ThefarmhadsomehowsupportedthefamilyintheoldDeacon’stime，butJustinseemedunabletocoaxacompetencefromthesoil。Hecould，anddid，riseearlyandworklate；tilltheearth，sowcrops；buthecouldnotmaketherainfallnorthesunshineatthetimesheneededthem，andtheelements，howevermuchtheymightseemtofavourhisneighbours，seldomsmiledonhisenterprises。
ThecrowslikedJustin’scornbetterthananyotherinEdgewood。
Ithadarichnesspeculiartoitself，aqualitythatappealedtothemostjadedpalate，sothatitwasreallyworthwhiletoflyoveramileofinterveningfieldsandpayitthedelicatecomplimentofpreference。
Justincouldexplaintheattitudeofcaterpillars，worms，grasshoppers，andpotato—bugstowardhimonlybyassumingthatheattractedthemasthemagnetinthetoyboxesattractstheminiaturefishes。
\"Landofliberty！lookat’emcongregate！\"ejaculatedJabeSlocum，whenhewascalledinforconsultation。\"Nowifyou’dgoneinforbreedin’insecks，youcouldbeasproudasCuffyan’exhibit’emattheCountyFair！They’dgiveyerprizesforsizean’numbersan’
speed，Iguess！Why，say，they’rerealcrowdedforroom——theplantsain’tgive’emenoughleavestorooston！Haveyoutried’BugDeath’？\"
\"Itactslikeatoniconthem，\"saidJustingloomily。
\"Sho！youdon’tsayso！Nowminecan’tabidethesightnorsmellofit。What’boutParisgreen？\"
\"Theythriveonit；it’sasgoodasanappetizer。\"
\"Well，\"saidJabeSlocum，revolvingthequidoftobaccoinhismouthreflectively，\"thebugthatain’tgotnoobjectiontop’isonisabugthat’sgotwayso’thinkin’an’feelin’an’reasonin’thatIain’tabletocopewith！P’r’apsit’sallaleadin’o’
Providence。Mebbeitshowsyou’doughttoquitfarmin’cropsan’
taketoraisin’livestock！\"
Justindidjustthat，asamatteroffact，ayearortwolater；butstockthathaswithinitselfthepowerofbeing\"live\"hasalsorarequalificationsforbeingdeadwhenoccasionsuits，anditgenerallydidsuitJustin’sstock。Itprovedpronenotonlytoallthegeneraldiseasesthatcattle—fleshisheirto，butwascapableevenofsuicide。Atleast，itistruethattwovaluableJerseycalves，tiedtostakesonthehillside，hadflungthemselvesviolentlydownthebankandstrangledthemselveswiththeirownropesinamannerwhichseemedtoshowthattheyfoundnopleasureinexistence，atalleventsonthePeabodyfarm。
TheseweresomeofthelittletragediesthathadsickenedyoungJustinPeabodywithlifeinEdgewood，andNancyWentworth，eventhen，realizedsomeofthemandsympathizedwithoutspeaking，inagirl’spoor，helplessway。
Mrs。SimpsonhadwashedthefloorintherightwingofthechurchandNancyhadcleanedallthepaint。NowshesatintheoldPeabodypewdarningtheforlorn，fadedcushionwithgreycarpet—
thread：threadasgreyasherownlife。
Thescrubbing—partyhadmovedtoitslaboursinafarcornerofthechurch，andtwoofthewomenwerebeginningpreparationsforthebasketluncheons。Nancy’sneedlewasnobusierthanhermemory。
LongyearsagoshehadoftensatinthePeabodypew，sometimesatfirstasagirlofsixteenwhenaskedbyEsther，andthen，oncominghomefromschoolateighteen，\"finished，\"shehadbeeninvitednowandagainbyMrs。Peabodyherself，onthoseSundayswhenherowninvalidmotherhadnotattendedservice。
ThosewerewonderfulSundays——Sundaysofquiet，tremblingpeaceandmaidenjoy。
Justinsatbesideher，andshehadbeensurethen，buthadlongsincegrowntodoubttheevidenceofhersenses，thathe，too，vibratedwithpleasureatthenearness。Wastherenotasummermorningwhenhishandtouchedherwhitelacemittastheyheldthehymn—booktogether，andthelinesoftheRise，mysoul，andstretchthywings，Thybetterportiontrace，becameblurredonthepageandmeltedintosomethingindistinguishableforafullminuteortwoafterward？Weretherenotlooks，andlooks，andlooks？Orhadshesomemisleadingtrickofvisioninthosedays？Justin’sdark，handsomeprofilerosebeforeher：thelevelbrowsandfinelashes；thewell—cutnoseandlovablemouth——thePeabodymouthandchin，somewhattoosweetandpliantforstrength，perhaps。Thentheeyesturnedtohersintheoldway，justforafleetingglance，astheyhadsooftendoneatprayer—meeting，orsociable，orSundayservice。Wasitnotaman’sheartshehadseeninthem？Andoh，ifshecouldonlybesurethatherownwoman’shearthadnotlookedoutfromhers，drawnfromitsmaidenshelterinspiteofallherwishtokeepithidden！
Thenfollowedtwodrearyyearsofindecisionandsuspense，whenJustin’seyesmetherslessfreely；whenhislookswerealwaysgloomyandanxious；whenaffairsatthePeabodyfarmgrewworseandworse；whenhismotherfollowedherhusband，theoldDeacon，andherdaughterEsthertotheburying—groundinthechurchyard。Thentheendofallthingscame，theendoftheworldforNancy：
Justin’sdeparturefortheWestinaveryfrenzyofdiscouragementoverthenarrownessandlimitationandinjusticeofhislot；overtherockinessandbarrennessandunkindnessoftheNewEnglandsoil；overthegeneralbitternessoffateandthe\"bludgeoningsofchance。\"
Hewasafailure，bornofafamilyoffailures。Iftheworldowedhimaliving，hehadyettofindthemethodbywhichitcouldbeearned。Allthishethoughtanduttered，andmuchmoreofthesamesort。Inthesedaysofhumbledprideselfwasparamount，thoughitwasaselfhedespised。Therewasnotimeforlove。Whowasheforagirltoleanupon？——hewhocouldnotstanderecthimself！
Hebadeastiffgood—byetohisneighbours，andtoNancyhevouchsafedlittlemore。Ahandshake，withnothrillofloveinitsuchasmighthavefurnishedherpalm，atleast，somememoriestodwellupon；afewstiltedwordsofleave—taking；ahalting，meaninglesssentenceortwoabouthis\"botch\"oflife——thenhewalkedawayfromtheWentworthdoorstep。Buthalfwaydownthegardenpath，wheretheshrivelledhollyhocksstoodlikesentinels，didawaveofsomethingdifferentsweepoverhim——awaveoftheboyish，irresponsiblepastwhenhishearthadwingsandcouldflywithoutfeartoitsmate——awaveofthepastthatwasrushingthroughNancy’smind，well—nighburyingherinitsbitter—sweetwaters！Forheliftedhishead，andsuddenlyretracinghissteps，hecametowardher，and，takingherhandagain，saidforlornly：
\"You’llseemebackwhenmyluckturns，Nancy。\"
Nancyknewthatthewordsmightmeanlittleormuch，accordingtothemannerinwhichtheywereuttered，buttoherhurtprideandsore，shamedwoman—instinct，theywereapromise，simplybecausetherewasachokingsoundinJustin’svoiceandtearsinJustin’seyes。\"You’llseemebackwhenmyluckturns，Nancy；\"thiswasthephraseuponwhichshehadlivedformorethantenyears。Nancyhadonceheardtheoldparsonsay，agesago，thatthewholepurposeoflifewasthegrowthofthesoul；thatweeat，sleep，clotheourselves，work，love，alltogivethesoulanotherday，month，year，inwhichtodevelop。Sheusedtowonderifhersoulcouldbegrowinginthemonotonousroundofherdulldutiesandherdullerpleasures。Shedidnotconfessiteventoherself；neverthelesssheknewthatsheworked，ate，slept，toliveuntilJustin’sluckturned。Herlovehadlaininherheartabirdwithoutasong，yearafteryear。Hermotherhaddweltbyhersideandneverguessed；
herfathertoo；andbothweredead。Theneighboursalso，lynx—eyedandcurious，hadneversuspected。Ifshehadsuffered，nooneinEdgewoodwasanythewiser，forthemaidenheartisnotcommonlywornonthesleeveinNewEngland。IfshehadbeenopenlypledgedtoJustinPeabody，shecouldhavewaitedtwicetenyearswithadecentshowofself—respect，forlongengagementswereviewedratherasamatterofcourseinthatneighbourhood。TheendlessmonthshadgoneonsincethatgreyNovemberdaywhenJustinhadsaidgood—bye。IthadbeenjustbeforeThanksgiving，andshewenttochurchwithanachingandungratefulheart。TheparsonreadfromtheeighthchapterofSt。Matthew，amostunexpectedselectionforthatholiday。\"Ifyoucan’tfindanythingelsetobethankfulfor，\"hecried，\"gohomeandbethankfulyouarenotaleper！\"
Nancytookthedrasticcounselawayfromthechurchwithher，anditwasmanyayearbeforeshecouldmanagetoaddtothisslenderstoreanythingtoincreasehergratitudeformerciesgiven，thoughallthetimeshewasoutwardlybusy，cheerful，andhelpful。