Sadie interrupted him.  “For instance, that ’first-class fanatic of the most objectionable stamp,’ the man who Dr. Douglass thought, not three days ago, ought to be bound by law to keep the peace.  I suppose you would have me unhesitatingly receive every word he says?”

Dr. Douglass’ face brightened instantly, and he spoke eagerly: 

“I remember those words, Miss Sadie, and just how honestly I spoke them, and just how bitterly I felt when I spoke them, and I have no more sure proof that this thing is of God than I have in noting the wonderful change which has come over my feelings in regard to that blessed man.  I pray God that he may be permitted to speak to your soul with the tremendous power that he has to mine.  Oh, Sadie, I have led you astray, may I not help you back?”

“I am not a weather-vane, Dr. Douglass, to be whirled about by every wind of expediency; besides I am familiar with one verse in the Bible, of which you seem never to have heard:  Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  You have sowed well and faithfully; be content with your harvest.”

I do not know what the pale, grave lips would have answered to this mocking spirit, for at that moment Dr. Van Anden and the black ponies whizzed around the corner, and halted before the gate.

“Sadie,” said the doctor, “are you in the mood for a ride?  I have five miles to drive.”

“Dr. Van Anden,” answered Sadie, promptly, “the last time you and I took a ride together we quarreled.”

“Precisely,” said the Doctor, bowing low.  “Let us take another now and make up.”

“Very well,” was the gleeful answer which he received, and in another minute they were off.

For the first mile or two he kept a tight rein, and let the ponies skim over the ground in the liveliest fashion, during which time very little talking was done.  After that he slackened his speed, and leaning back in the carriage addressed himself to Sadie: 

“Now we are ready to make up.”

“How shall we commence?” asked Sadie, gravely.

“Who quarreled?” answered the Doctor, sententiously.

“Well,” said Sadie, “I understand what you are waiting for.  You think I was very rude and unladylike in my replies to you during that last interesting ride we took.  You think I jumped at unwarrantable conclusions, and used some unnecessarily sharp words.  I think so myself, and if it will be of any service to you to know it, I don’t mind telling you in the least.”

“That is a very excellent beginning,” answered the Doctor, heartily.  “I think we shall have no difficulty in getting the matter all settled Now, for my part, it won’t sound as well as yours, because however blunderingly I may have said what I did, I said it honestly, in good faith, and with a good and pure motive.  But I am glad to be able to say in equal honesty that I believe I was over-cautious, that Dr. Douglass was never so little worthy of regard as I supposed him to be, and that nothing could have more rejoiced my heart than the noble stand which he has so recently taken.  Indeed his conduct has been so noble that I feel honored by his acquaintance.”