"I am hoarse," he said. "Lacy!"
The person addressed reddened slightly, but conquering himself instantly, did as he was requested; and Ida, too, although not so easily, lost the identity of the man in the reader, and was prepared to join, with solemnity and fervor of spirit, in his prayer.
By Charley's contrivance, they rode to church in the light buggy. Ida condemned herself for the feeling of disappointment that fell suddenly upon her, as the school-house appeared; and more for the fancies which strayed—starry-winged butterflies into the machinery of her morning's duties; but her pupils were unconscious of the visitants.
"Is that your regular pastor?" inquired Mr. Lacy, as they were driving back.
"Ir-regular, rather—if you speak of the seasons of his ministrations. Presiding over three—I am not certain it is not four congregations, he preaches for us once a month."
"Who officiates the three other Sabbaths?"
"Sometimes the pastor of the Hill-side church. The second Sabbath is his day in course; but he lives twelve miles off. If he is among the missing, we catch up a circuit-rider, or go sermonless."
"'These things ought not so to be.'"
"I know it—but they are! Who is to remedy them? Palm-branch is a free church."
"And as often free of preachers, as of sectarianism, it seems," said he.