"Where does it say that?" he asked, incredulously. He took the book, and turning back to the first of the chapter, commenced to read.
The great bell in the court-house tower began clanging six.
"I must go," he said; "but I'll take this with me and look through it another time."
"I wish you would come to the watch-meeting to-night," she said, wistfully. "It is from ten until midnight. All the Leagues in the city meet at Garrison Avenue."
He slipped the book in his pocket, and buttoned up his overcoat. A sudden reserve of manner seemed to envelop him at the same time.
"No, thank you," he answered, drawing on his gloves. "I have an informal invitation from some friends in Hillhollow to dance the old year out and the new year in."
His tone seemed so flippant after the recent depth of feeling he had betrayed, that it jarred on Bethany's earnest mood like a discord. He moved toward the door.
"No matter where you may be," she said as he opened it, "I shall be praying for you."
After he had gone, Bethany still sat at her desk, mechanically assorting the letters. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she had quite forgotten it was time to go home.