SUNDAY morning dawned at last, with as bright a sunshine as ever May produced. The air was crisp and clear, and the level road was frozen hard. Look which way he would, Farmer Morgan would have found it hard to produce an excuse why the family should not appear in church. To be sure, he often said that he didn't "feel like going;" and as John wouldn't go, that had heretofore settled the matter for the mother and Dorothy, whether they would or not. But on this morning, Louise and Lewis came from their room evidently dressed for the day; and Louise, with confident air, remarked—
"What a nice morning for a ride! if one didn't care for church-going, it would be pleasant to get out to-day."
In Lewis's mind were some doubts as to who of the family could go, as the small spring-waggon would not accommodate more than four; but Farmer Morgan settled it by saying in positive voice—
"You'll have to go to-day, John, and drive. I've got a stiff neck, and I don't feel like going out."
"I guess Lewis hasn't forgot how to drive," John began sullenly: "I ain't going to church."
"You can go to church or not, just as you like, when you get down there, I s'pose; but you will have to drive the horses, for the colt has got to go, and she isn't used to Lewis, and I won't have him drive her. It would look more decent to go to church, I think; but you've got so you don't care much about decency, and I s'pose you'll do as you please.—You going, mother?"
"No!" said Mrs. Morgan promptly; "I'll get the dinner. Dorothy can go, if she likes."
And the instant glow on Dorothy's cheek told that she "liked." Only John was sullen; he did not recover during the entire ride; spoke only to the horses, save when Dorothy gave little frightened jumps when the colt seemed to her not to be moving with propriety; then the driver snappishly directed her to "sit still and not act like a simpleton."
Arrived at the church door, he sat still, allowing Lewis to alight and wait on the ladies.
"Let us wait for John," Louise said, as her husband turned from the waggon; "it is nicer to all go in together."