But this time no little coffin was carried to the graveyard; on the contrary, two lusty little infants were being conveyed to the baptismal font; and the parties issued respectively from the cottage of the Leveridges and from that of the Weldons. And as both parties arrived at the toll-gate, the woman who inhabited the toll-house issued forth, to act as sponsor to both babes.
And as she walked along she said to old Mrs. Weldon, “Who ever would have thought it, last time us two went this way?”
“Who ever would?” answered Mrs. Weldon; “but Jack might have gone far and fared worse.”
“And then—Thomas Leveridge?”
“He’s taken to caring for home first, and politics come second only.”
“Well, well! The last time we were here together it was to a burying; but it is true, that sayin’ of Scriptur’, ‘From Death we have passed to Life.’”