He extricated himself with considerable difficulty, and cast a woful look at his clothes.

Then he turned to, and piled up a heap of stones to mark the dangerous spot; for he foresaw he must often travel that way in all weathers.  At last he reached the church, removed the lock, and fastened the door with screws.  He then went back to the farm as fast as he could.  But all this had taken a long time, and the sun was sinking as he got into the yard.  He was in the very act of concealing the lock in the gig, when Martha Dence came out at him, as red as a turkey-cock.

“You thought but little of my sister, young man, to leave her all these hours, and you come out to spend the day with her.”

“Stuff and nonsense!  I came out on my own business.”

“So it seems.  And it have taken you into worse company.  A fine figure she has made you.”

“Who?”

“The hussy you have been after this while.”

“That’s so like you girls.  You think a man has nothing to do but to run after women.”

“What business can you have on the Sabbath-day, I’d like to know.”

“Would you?  Well, I’ll tell you—­when I tell the bellman.”

“You are quite right, Mr. Little.  Trust none but your friends.”

This was a bitter remark.  Henry could not reply to it, and that moved his bile.  Patty pursued her advantage, and let him know that, when a young man brought a young woman out for the day, he did not leave her for three hours at a stretch, unless he meant to affront her.  She raised her voice in saying this, and so did he in replying, “Tell you I came out on my own business, not Jael’s; but I am a good-natured fellow, considering all I endure, so I took that opportunity to bring your sister out to see you.  Could I guess you two couldn’t make yourselves happy for one afternoon without flirting?  So much for sisterly affection!  Well, next time I’ll come alone—­if I come at all.”

Jael came out at the raised voices, and received this last sentence full in the face.  She turned pale.

“Oh, Patty, Patty, what have you been saying?”

“I’ve been speaking my mind, that is all.”

“Ay, and you’ve made him say the only unkind word I ever heard from his lips.”

“I’m very sorry, Jael,” said the young man, penitently.

“Oh, then I’m to blame, because he is so ill-tempered.”  And Patty bridled.

“Partly.  You should not interfere between friends.”  Having delivered this admonition, Jael softened it by kissing her, and whispered, “Father’s asking for his tea.”

Patty went in as meek as Moses.

Then Jael turned to Henry, and laid her hand on his arm, while her gray eyes searched his face.

“There’s something amiss.  You are never cross, except when you are unhappy.  What is it?”

“Oh, Jael, my heart is broken.  She is going to be married.”

“Who says so?”