But he was quick to respond to the motherly tenderness of Mrs. Cameron. In the groups of neighbours who gathered in the evenings to discuss with the doctor the hopes, fears, and sorrows of the people, Phil was a charmed listener to the most brilliant conversations he had ever heard. It seemed the normal expression of their lives. He had never before seen people come together to talk to one another after this fashion. More and more the simplicity, dignity, patience, courtesy, and sympathy of these people in their bearing toward one another impressed him. More and more he grew to like them.
Marion went out of her way to express her open admiration for Phil and tease him about Margaret. The Rev. Hugh McAlpin was monopolizing her on the Wednesday following his return from Columbia and Phil sought Marion for sympathy.
“What will you give me if I tease you about Margaret right before her?” she asked.
He blushed furiously.
“Don’t you dare such a thing on peril of your life!”
“You know you like to be teased about her,” she cried, her blue eyes dancing with fun.
“With such a pretty little friend to do the teasing all by ourselves, perhaps——”
“You’ll never get her unless you have more spunk.”
“Then I’ll find consolation with you.”
“No, I mean to marry young.”