him into the seat from which he
had half started and faced him to the horses. With a smothered
imprecation he rose and laid on the whip. They plunged, the carriage
sprang from the hole and ploughed the mire, and Garnet sat down and
drove into the town's main avenue, bespattered with mud from head to
waist.

Near the gate of the Academy grounds stood Parson Tombs talking to a
youth in Rosemont uniform. The student passed on, and the pastor, with
an elated face, waved a hand to Garnet. Garnet stopped and the Parson
came close.

"Brother Tombs, howdy?"

"Why, howdy-do, Brother Garnet?--Miss Barb!--Johanna." He pointed
covertly at the departing youth and murmured to Garnet, "He'll make ow
fo'teenth convert since New Year's. And still there is room!--Well,
brother, I've been a-hearin' about John March's an' yo'-all's lan' boom,
but"--the good man giggled--"I never see a case o' measles break out
finer than the lan' business is broke out on you!--And you don't seem to
mind it no mo'n--Look here! air you a miracle o' grace, aw what air
you?"

"Why, nothing, Brother Tombs, nothing! Nothing but an old soldier who's
learned that serenity's always best."

The Parson turned to Barbara and cast a doting smile sidewise upon the
old soldier. But Garnet set his face against flattery and changed the
subject.

"Brother Tombs, speaking of John March, you know now risky it is for
anybody--unless it's you--to say anything to him. Oh, I dare say he's
changed, but when he hasn't been converted two months, nor a member of
the church three weeks, we mustn't expect him to have the virtues of an
old Christian."

"He's changed mo'n I'm at libbety to tell you, Brother Garnet. He's
renounced dancing."

"Yes?--Indeed! He's quit dancing. But still he carries two revolvers."

"Why, Brother John Wesley, I--that's so. I've spoke to John about that,
but--the fact is----"

Garnet smiled. "His life's in constant danger--that's my very point. The
bad weather's protected him thus far, but if it should last five years
without a break, still you know that as soon as it fairs off----"

"_Uv_ co'se! Enos's kinsfolks 'll be layin' faw him behind some bush aw
sett'n' fire to his house; an' so what shall he do, brother, if we say
he----"

"Oh, let him shoot a Yahoo or two if he must, but I think you ought to
tell him he's committing a criminal folly in asking that young Yankee,
Mr. Fair, to stop with him at Widewood when he comes here next week!"