The women folks were waiting anxiously, and keen was their disappointment when they heard that another day would have to pass ere the head of their house could be released.
"God forgive me if I am doing wrong," exclaimed William Auld to me, "but I am determined, now that I have put my hand to the plough, I shall not turn back."
Wednesday came, and we called again.
"Andrew," called the minister through the door, "will you relent and talk to Margaret?"
"Give me a drink of water," came a husky voice from behind the door.
A saucer of cold water was passed under the door to him and he seized it and drank of it eagerly.
"Will you talk to Margaret, Andrew?"
"No!" snapped the old fellow. And back again he dropped into silence.
Still another day and the performance was repeated. Still Andrew Clark remained adamant; still Margaret Clark begged and prayed on her knees for his release.
"We will give him one more day," said the minister, "and then, if it is God's will, we will release him and take the consequences of our acts."