"I wish Robert Belcher was hanged," said Mrs. Snow, spitefully.
"Amen! and my name is Butterworth," responded that lady, making sure that there should be no mistake as to the responsibility for the utterance.
"Why, mother!" exclaimed the three hisses Snow, in wonder.
"And drawn and quartered!" added Mrs. Snow, emphatically.
"Amen, again!" responded Miss Butterworth.
"Mrs. Snow! my dear! You forget that you are a Christian pastor's wife, and that there is a stranger present."
"No, that is just what I don't forget," said Mrs. Snow. "I see a Christian pastor afraid of a man of the world, who cares no more about Christianity than he does about a pair of old shoes, and who patronizes it for the sake of shutting its mouth against him. It makes me angry, and makes me wish I were a man; and you ought to go to that meeting to-morrow, as a Christian pastor, and put down this shame and wickedness. You have influence, if you will use it. All the people want is a leader, and some one to tell them the truth."
"Yes, father, I'm sure you have a great deal of influence," said the elder Miss Snow.
"A great deal of influence," responded the next in years.
"Yes, indeed," echoed the youngest.