Thus Valmai slipped quietly out of her old life, though for some time she was the subject of much gossip in the neighbourhood.
It was not long before Shoni found an opportunity of speaking to the Vicar, and as he saw the effect of his tidings upon the cold, hard man, a feeling of pity stirred within him.
"Is this all news to you?" he said. "Didn't you know that your son was haunting the footsteps of this innocent girl, to bring her to ruin?"
"Had I known," said the Vicar, in a stern voice, "that my son held any communication with the Methodist preacher's family, however innocent it might be, I would have closed my doors against him."
"Where is he?" asked Shoni, clenching his fist.
"I don't know," said the Vicar, turning away.
Shoni called after him, "When he comes back he'll feel the weight of this fist, if it's twenty years to come."
[1] Society meeting.