There was no time for more words. The minister began the services. Reuben Gray offered himself as sponsor with Hannah, who had no right to refuse this sort of copartnership.
The child was christened Ishmael Worth, thus receiving both given and surname at the altar.
When the afternoon worship was concluded and they left the church, Reuben Gray walked beside Hannah, begging for the privilege of carrying the child—a privilege Hannah grimly refused.
Reuben, undismayed, walked by her side all the way from Baymouth church to the hut on the hill, a distance of three miles. And taking advantage of that long walk, he pleaded with Hannah to reconsider her refusal and to become his wife.
"After a bit, we can go away and take the boy with us and bring him up as our'n. And nobody need to know any better," he pleaded.
But this also Hannah grimly refused.
When they reached the hut she turned upon him and said:
"Reuben Gray, I will bear my miseries and reproaches myself! I will bear them alone! Your duty is to your sisters. Go to them and forget me." And so saying she actually shut the door in his face!
Reuben went away crestfallen.
But Hannah! poor Hannah! she never anticipated the full amount of misery and reproach she would have to bear alone!