“Poor fellow,” came in Sue’s loud whisper close to her ear. “They have taken him out! I should think that he would know better than to go among folks.”
Tessa could not follow the speaker for some minutes; the lights went out, she could not catch her breath; Mrs. Towne took her hand and held it firmly, then the lights came dim, through a misty and waving distance, her breath was drawn more easily, she could discern the outline of the preacher, and then his dark face was brought fully into view, his voice sounded loud in her ears; for some time longer she could not catch and connect his words; then, clear and strong, the words fell from his lips, and she could listen and understand—
“Good is the will of the Lord concerning me.”
If Felix could have listened and understood, would he have been comforted, too?
His voice held her when her attention wavered; afterward, that one sentence was all that had fastened itself; and was not that enough for one life time?
At the door, Dr. Towne stood waiting for his mother, and Mr. Hammerton and Dinah were moving towards the group.
“I knew that you would be here,” said Dinah, “so I coaxed Gus away from father. I couldn’t wait to tell you that your books have come. Two splendid dozens in all colors; I had to open them. You don’t mind? Gus and I each read a brown one; we think the crimson and blue ones must be splendid.”
Sue drew Tessa aside to coax in her plaintively miserable voice, “Come home with me; father will say things, and I shall be afraid.”
“I can’t help you, Sue.”
“You mean you won’t. I’ll elope with Dr. Lake, and then Dunellen will be on fire, and you don’t care.”