“I was no redemptioner.”
“’T was none the less a step-down for me,” replied Mrs. Meredith, calmly. “And I had far less levity than—”
“Nay, Matilda, she often reminds me very—”
“Lambert, I never was light! Or at least never after I sat under Dr. Edwards and had a call. The quicker we marry Janice to Mr. McClave, the better ’t will be for her.”
“Now, pox me!” cried the squire, “if I’ll give my lass to be made the drudge of another woman’s children.”
“’T is the very discipline she needs,” retorted the wife. “But for my checking her a moment ago I believe she’d have spoken disrespectfully of hell!”
“Small wonder!” muttered her husband. “Is ’t not enough to ye Presbyterians to doom one to everlasting torment in the future life without making this life as bad?”
“’T is the way to be saved,” replied Mrs. Meredith. “As Mr. McClave said to Janice shortly since, ‘Be assured that doing the unpleasant thing is the surest road to salvation, for tho’ it should not find grace in the eyes of a righteously angry God, yet having been done from no carnal and sinful craving of the flesh, it cannot increase his anger towards you.’ Ah, Lambert, that man has the true gift.”
“Since he’s so damned set on being uncarnal,” snapped the squire, “let him go without Janice.”
“And have her running off with an indentured servant, as Anne Loughton did?”