"What can be the matter?" asked Mrs. Peabody of Mrs. Beebe, the moment she got outside of the church door. "Aunt Mary didn't go up."
"Indeed! It can't be possible?"
"Yes, but it is. For I sat just behind her all the time. She seemed very uneasy, and I thought troubled. She hardly looked up during the sermon, and hurried away, without speaking to any one, as soon as the congregation was dismissed at the close of the communion service. What can be the matter?"
"It is strange, indeed!" responded Mrs. Green, who came up while Mrs. Peabody was speaking.
"I took notice myself that she did not go up."
"I wonder if she has done any thing wrong?"
"Oh, no!"
"Then what can be the matter?"
"I would give any thing to know!"
"Something is wrong, that is certain," remarked one of the little crowd, for the group of two or three had swelled to as many dozens.