"I'll go, Ma," said Abe. "When I come back, I'll tell you what the preacher said."
Sarah smiled at him fondly. Abe could listen to a sermon, then come home and repeat it almost word for word. "I'd rather hear you preachify," she said, "than the preacher himself."
Tom and his family walked single file into the log meeting house and took their places on one of the long wooden benches. John Carter, sitting on the bench in front of them, turned and nodded. Carter had promised to buy the Lincolns' south field. He would have the papers ready for Tom to sign on Monday. Tom needed the money, but the very thought of selling any of his land made him grumpy. He twisted and turned on the hard wooden bench during the long sermon. He hardly heard a word that the preacher was saying.
Abe leaned forward and listened eagerly. The preacher was a tall, thin man. He flung his arms about. His voice grew louder and hoarser as the morning passed. He paused only to catch his breath or when the members of the congregation shouted, "Amen." After the final hymn, he stood at the door shaking hands.
"Brother Lincoln," he said, "I want you to meet up with a new neighbor. This here is Mr. Swaney."
Tom shook hands. Then the preacher introduced Abe.
"Are you the new schoolmaster?" Abe asked.
"I don't figure on starting school till after harvest," Mr. Swaney replied. "Will you be one of my scholars?"
"I'd sure like to come." Abe glanced at his father.
"I reckon not," said Tom stiffly. "Abe has had as much schooling as he needs."