"
Thomas gave a great start and colored high. "I'd like to know what
you mean, father," he cried, sharply.
"Nothin'. I don't mean nothin', only I'm older'n you, and it's come
in my way to know some things, and it's fittin' you should profit by
it. A young woman's looks at you don't count for much. I don't s'pose
she knows why she gives 'em herself half the time; they ain't like
us. It's best you should make up your mind to it; if you don't, you
may find it out by the hardest. That's all. I ain't never goin' to
bring this up again."
"I'd like to know what you mean, father." Thomas's voice shook with
embarrassment and anger.
"I ain't goin' to say anything more about it," replied the old man.
"Mary Ann Pease and Arabella Mann are both in the settin'-room with
your mother. I thought I'd tell ye, in case ye didn't want to see
'em, and wanted to go to work on your sermon."
Thomas made an impatient ejaculation as he strode off. When he
reached the large white house where he lived he skirted it carefully.
The chirping treble of girlish voices came from the open sitting-room
window, and he caught a glimpse of a smooth brown head and a high
shell comb in front of the candle-light. The young minister tiptoed
in the back door and across the kitchen to the back stairs. The
sitting-room door was open, and the candle-light streamed out, and
the treble voices rose high.
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