"You mean them that's got morals," corrected Sam.
"I mean," retorted the deacon, angrily, "those who are worth considering."
Mr. Blake loved an argument, and being the only one present up to the deacon's mental calibre, he naturally was the one to make reply.
"I think that you are mistaken there, deacon," he said, quietly. "Here's Peter, he saw the performance, so did I, we were not shocked."
The deacon's face reddened.
"I—I meant—er—the—er—church people," he stammered.
"Yes, so I supposed," said Mr. Blake, "but there are people outside of the churches who have morals—morals capable of being shocked, too."
"I'll say just this much," replied the deacon. "That young woman did a dangerous thing. She has displeased many of our citizens—"
"And their wives," interposed Sam, but the deacon ignored the remark and continued:
"We cannot have such performances. The young people will be corrupted, the moral tone of our town will fall to the level of the dust. Such a thing has never occurred before, and I sincerely trust never will again, notwithstanding the approbation of a few men who seem to have nothing else to talk about."