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。