“The new barn ’ill be done in two weeks,” said Mrs Winder as Sidney turned away; “you see it lengthways from here.”
“It looks very well,” said Sidney kindly. Then he bade them all good-bye and departed with Vashti, who was silently marvelling. This was the first inkling Vashti had of the force of “suggestion.”
Meanwhile the tongues buzzed in the company they had left. The women were conversationally inclined; excitement is a great stimulant to the flow of ideas, and certainly this meeting of the sewing-circle had had its sensation. Mrs. Winder’s boldness in inveigling the preacher in to see the glories of the front room had been appreciated at its full worth. Not one of these dames but had cherished a secret longing to show off her front room to Sidney—but so far he knew only the mundane comfortableness of the “setting-rooms.”
Mrs. Winder had scored largely that day.
And the meeting was not over.
Mrs. Ranger had been irritated that afternoon in various ways. Vashti’s smile when she entered had made Mrs. Ranger uncomfortable.
“Although,” as she said to Mrs. Winder, “what could she expect? My sakes! I don’t care if she did hear me! It’s all gospel truth and what can she expect, being the preacher’s wife, but to be talked about?”
What indeed?
Then, too, Mrs. Ranger felt Mrs. Winder had indulged in reprehensibly sharp practice in regard to the front room—and—but it is needless to enumerate the different irritations which, combined, made Mrs. Ranger venomous. She felt she must ease the pressure upon her patience by giving someone’s character a thorough overhauling; so with a side look at Temperance, and a tightening of her meagre mouth, she began to speak of Lanty.
Now in Dole, if any subject was brought up which hurt or pained you, you were expected to look indifferent, make no reply, and strive by keeping a calm front to deny the honour of putting on the shoe when it fitted.