r hollered.
She knew what was due to a minister, even if he was only just in
pants; she only hoped Mr. Lindsay wouldn't see fit to say anything to
her husband. Take Reuben Meecher when he was roused, and tigers was
tame by him: and if he should know that his wife was spoke to so, by
them as wasn't born or thought of when they was married, and nobody
couldn't say but they had lived respectable for forty years, and now
to come to this! The lady was well used to ministers, and some of the
most aged in the country, and she knew what was due to them; but for
her part, she thought 'twas well for ministers, as well as others, to
speak of what they'd had exper'ence in, and then there would be no
feeling!

The visit was not a success, nor did it cheer the minister to hear the
old couple chuckling to each other as he went sadly away, and to feel
that they were laughing at him.

But he was very humble, and he laid the spiteful words to heart.

What did he know? What had he to say to his people, when it came to
the real, terrible things of life? What had he had in his whole life,
save kindness and a sheltered home, and then study, and a little
divinity, and a little science? He sat and gazed at the image of
himself in his mind's glass, and found it a gibbering phantom, with
emptiness where should be eyes, and dry dust where should be living
waters.

As he sat thus sadly pondering, the sound of voices struck upon his
ear. The window was open, and now that his mind was awake, there was
no question of his hearing, when the two next-door neighbours leaned
out of their back windows, across Mrs. Mellen's back yard. He had
grown to loathe the sound of those two voices, the shrill cackling
one, and the fat chuckle that was even more hateful. What were they
saying now?

"You don't tell me she wants to git him for herself? speak jest a dite
louder! She can't hear ye, and he's so muddled up he never heard the
bell for meetin', some say; but there's others think he'd ben
drinkin', and Deacon Strong and Deacon Todd jest leagued together with
Sophrony Mellen to hide it. He was black in the face when he came
home, and reelin' in his walk, for I see him with these eyes."

Charles Lindsay started as if stung by a venomous snake. He put out
his hand to the window, but now the sharp voice broke in, anxious to
have its turn.

"Well, I shouldn't be a mite surprised if 'twas so, Mis' Bean, and
you've had experience, I'm sure, in such matters,