“Hush, hush!” whispered Douglas, looking over the hedge. He peeped cautiously about him, then came toward the men with a sigh of relief. “It's all right. She has gone the other way.”
“It'll be a good thing for you if she never comes back,” said Strong, and Douglas's quick ear caught an unpleasant meaning in his tone.
“What's that?” the pastor asked, in a low, steady voice.
“We don't like some of the things that are going on here, and I want to talk to you about 'em.”
“Very well, but see if you can't talk in a lower key.”
“Never mind about the key,” shouted Strong, angrily.
“But I DO mind.” Something in his eyes made the deacon lower his voice.
“We want to know how much longer that girl is goin' to stay here?”
“Indeed! And why?” The colour was leaving Douglas's face, and his jaw was becoming very square.
“Because she's been here long enough.”