Daphne began to look at the matter in a new light, and felt ashamed of herself for having passed by Paul without noticing him.
After service there was a great deal of loud talking.
"If that is the kind of singing you are going to have, I'll stay at home," said Farmer Harrow.
"It would be a desecration of the sanctuary, and we should be the aiders and abettors of sin and iniquity, if we allowed a fellow who has been accused of stealing to lead the singing," said Deacon Hardhack to Mr. Cannel.
"Let him that is without sin among you cast the first stone," was Mr. Cannel's reply, and he felt that he had given the Deacon a good hit.
"Paul hasn't had his deserts by a long chalk," said Miss Dobb.
"He has been treated shamefully," said Azalia, indignantly.
All took sides, some for Paul, and some against him. Old things, which had no connection with the matter, were raked up. Mr. Cannel twitted Deacon Hardback of cheating him, while on the other hand the Deacon accused Mr. Cannel of giving false weight in selling coal. The peace and harmony of the church and society were disturbed.
Mr. Quaver felt very sore over that laugh which the little boy had started. He knew his voice was cracked, and that his singing days were over. "I am not going to make a fool of myself, to be laughed at," he said, and made up his mind that he wouldn't sing another note to please the Deacon or anybody else.