It “beat” a good many who, like the Widow Rogers, could not understand self-sacrifice.  But there were more, and they the majority of Trumet’s intelligent people, who understood and appreciated.  Dr. Parker, a man with a reputation for dangerously liberal views concerning religious matters and an infrequent attendant at church, was enthusiastic and prodigal of praise.

“By George!” vowed the doctor.  “That’s my kind of Christianity.  That’s the kind of parson I can tie to.  I’m for John Ellery after this, first, last, and all the time.  And if he don’t get the smallpox and die, and if he does live to preach in the Regular church, you’ll see me in one of the front pews every Sunday.  That’s what I think of him.  Everybody else ran away and I don’t blame ’em much.  But he stayed.  Yes, sir, by George! he stayed.  ‘Somebody had to do it,’ says he.  I take off my hat to that young fellow.”

Captain Zeb Mayo went about cheering for his parson.  Mrs. Mayo cooked delicacies to be pushed under the ropes for the minister’s consumption.  The parish committee, at a special session, voted an increase of salary and ordered a weekly service of prayer for the safe delivery of their young leader from danger.  Even Captain Elkanah did not try to oppose the general opinion; “although I cannot but feel,” he said, “that Mr. Ellery’s course was rash and that he should have considered us and our interest in his welfare before—­”

“Dum it all!” roared Captain Zeb, jumping to his feet and interrupting, “he didn’t consider himself, did he? and ain’t he as important to himself as you, Elkanah Daniels, or anybody else in this meetin’ house?  Bah! don’t let’s have no more talk like that or I’ll say somethin’ that won’t be fit to put in the minutes.”

Even at Come-Outers’ meeting, when Ezekiel Bassett hinted at a “just punishment fallin’ on the head of the leader of the Pharisees,” Thoph Black rose and defended Ellery.

Keziah Coffin was, perhaps, the one person most disturbed by her parson’s heroism.  She would have gone to the shanty immediately had not Dr. Parker prevented.  Even as it was, she did go as far as the ropes, but there she was warded off by Ebenezer until Ellery came running out and bade her come no nearer.

“But you shan’t stay here, Mr. Ellery,” vowed Keziah.  “Or, if you do, I’ll stay, too.  I ain’t afraid of smallpox.”

“I am,” confessed the minister, “and I’m not going to let anyone I care for expose themselves to it unnecessarily.  If you try to come in here I shall”—­he smiled—­“well, Capen and I will put you off the premises by force.  There!”

Keziah smiled, too, in spite of herself.  “Maybe you’d have your hands full,” she said.  “O John, what in the world made you do this thing?  It’s dreadful.  I shan’t sleep a wink, thinkin’ of you.  I just must come here and help.”

“No, you mustn’t.  You can come as far as the—­the dead line once in a while, if Captain Mayo will drive you over, but that’s all.  I’m all right.  Don’t worry about me.  I’m feeling tiptop and I’m not going to be sick.  Now go home and make me some of that—­some of those puddings of yours.  We can use them to advantage, can’t we, Capen?”