Miss Hepsy elevated her eyebrows, and shook hands with Mr. Keane in silence.
"Josh is in the barn. I s'pose I'd better send for him," she said.
And Mr. Keane answered courteously—"If you please."
She opened the door and called to Lucy to run to the barn for her uncle.
"Yes, Aunt Hepsy," answered Lucy, her sweet, clear tones contrasting strongly with her aunt's unpleasant voice.
"Miss Goldthwaite's all right again, eh?" she asked, sitting down near the door.
"I am thankful to say my sister is none the worse of her adventure," answered Mr. Goldthwaite. "But for Tom's bravery the consequences might have been more serious."
"H'm, I told him it would be a precious long time afore he got on the ice again to be laid up, botherin' strange folks, an' I guess I'll keep my word."
"You must not be so hard on him, Miss Strong," said the minister. "He is a very fine lad, and tries very hard to please you, I know."
Aunt Hepsy remained silent.