CHAPTER XIX
THE NEW CLUB-ROOM
Autumn was drawing near, and still the pointing Finger had not been recognised. A few of the meetings had been held in the shed, and, although most of the men had been loyal to their promise, they had been anything but comfortable times.
Nanna thought the matter had not been made a subject of united prayer enough. So at morning prayer, which Phebe had lately established, it was mentioned, and she also spoke of it to some of the men, asking them to pray about it too.
Hugh Black had attended most of the meetings, taking up the same place behind the shed. The men had got to know of this, but said nothing, and once Phebe had caught sight of him herself. His presence brought back a little of the old nervousness, but when she told Nanna, that old Amazon said: "Toots, child, what difference should an extra quality in cloth make to you! I should say he needs your help as much as anybody."
To Phebe's great astonishment he walked into the shop one morning.
"Can I have a word with you alone, Mrs. Waring?" he asked.
"Most certainly," and the two entered the parlour.
Phebe's heart was going pit-a-pat at a very unusual rate. Could it be he had come to put any difficulties in the way—to make any complaints! How is it in any moment of excitement we are sure to jump to the most doleful conjectures?
"Pray be seated, Mr. Black," she managed to say, in a tolerably steady voice.