"Somethin' must 'a' riled you to-night, Fred," said Eliphalet when church was out. "You give 'em a mighty stirrin' touch o' fire. It 'minded me o' that old supply sermon." Brent smiled mirthlessly. He knew that the same feelings had inspired both efforts.
On Tuesday evening he was early at church, and in the chair, as was the pastor's place. Early as he was, he did not much precede Mr. Simpson, who came in, followed by a coterie of his choicest spirits.
When the assembly had been duly called to order, Brent asked, "Will some one now please state the object of this meeting?"
Mr. Simpson arose.
"Brothers and sisters," he said, "the object of this meeting is a very simple one.
From the time that I began to preach in this church, twenty-five years ago, we had purity and cleanness in the pulpit and in the pew."
Brent's eyes were flashing. Eliphalet Hodges, who had thought that the extra session was for some routine business, pricked up his ears.
Simpson proceeded: "One in this flock has lately gone astray: she has fallen into evil ways—"
"Brother Simpson," interrupted Brent, his face drawn and hard with anger, "will you state the object of this meeting?"
"If the pastor is not afraid to wait, he will see that that is what I am doing."