When Grant went to church on the next Sabbath, he noticed, as he approached the meeting-house door, Harrison standing in close conversation with one or two prominent members.  As he approached, they looked toward him in a certain way that he did not like, and then, separating, entered the house before he came up.  It was too evident that Harrison had been communicating the incident of the ring.  But Grant was not surprised; he had expected nothing less.  Still, he felt that his brother member had not done towards him in the matter as he would have liked himself done by.  On entering the church, half a dozen persons turned and looked at him earnestly; while two or three whispered together, glancing towards him every now and then, and thus showing that he was the subject of conversation.  As to the theme of discourse between them, his mind was in no doubt.  The gold ring!  Yes, that was it.

But little edified by the sermon was Mr. Grant on that morning; and, when the services were ended, he went quickly from the church, and took his way homeward without stopping, as on former occasions, to shake hands and pass a few words with friends and brethren.

It had been the custom of several leading members of the church to drop in occasionally, during the week, and chat with Grant for ten minutes or half an hour.  But the time from Sunday to Sunday was passed without a single call from any one of them.  The reason for this was no mystery to the jeweller’s mind.

“I don’t see that I’ve been guilty of such a terrible crime,” said he to himself, feeling a little indignant on the subject.  “The man got his money’s worth; and, moreover, was served perfectly right.  Did he suppose that he was going to get fine gold for the price of solder?  If so, he found himself mistaken.  As for Harrison, he’s made himself remarkably busy about the matter.  I would not trust him in a similar case.  But it is so pleasant to discourse on evil in our neighbour.  So very pleasant!  The good he does is left to find its own way to the light as best it can; but let him commit a mistake or make a single false step, and it is preached from house-top.”

When Grant and Harrison met, there was a mutual reserve and coldness.

“He is conscious, I am aware, of his wrong dealing,” said the latter to himself, “and therefore shuns me.”

“He is aware that he has tried to injure me,” said the former, “and cannot, therefore, meet me as of old.”

Two or three weeks passed before the friends who used to drop in to see him almost every day showed themselves in his shop, and then there was a too evident change of manner.  They appeared distant and reserved, and he met them with a like exterior.  His pride was touched.

“Just as they like,” he said to himself.  “I can get on without them.  I presume, if all our hearts were laid open, mine would be found quite as good as theirs.  As for Perkins and Marvel, they needn’t set themselves up over me.  I think I know them.  Men who cut as close as they do in dealing, generally cut a little from the side that doesn’t belong to them.”