"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.RandolphChesterhelikedtobecalledbyhisfullnamesummerinGranvillewhenhemighthavegonetoBarHarbororNewport?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.