"'Are you going to leave me for Semantha? You are very unkind to me!' I said passionately.
"'You are foolish, Mercy. Semantha is our guest, and I have shown her no more attention than she has a right to.'
"'Can't you see, Ephraim?' I cried. 'Don't you know that she came here on purpose to make trouble between you and me, and that Prudence is helping her?'
"He looked surprised, then wholly incredulous. 'You are mistaken, Mercy. You are prejudiced against Semantha.'
"I grew angry. I did not know that many men, acute enough to all else, are stone-blind where the wiles of a woman are concerned. 'You may go then, if you like. I see you don't care for me,' I said bitterly.
"'You know I do care for you,' said Ephraim. His voice was softer. I might have won him then, if I would have stooped to persuade. But I would not. My pride was hurt. I turned away from him.
"Presently Semantha came out and they drove off.
"Pretty soon Elihu Parsons brought his sleigh round, flung down the reins, and came in to say good night. He held my hand and lingered, talking, when I was eager for his going. My gayety had fled, and every word cost me a pang. At last he said, 'I am going by your house. Can I carry any message for you?'
"A wild thought darted into my mind, 'Going by our house? O, if I might go too!'
"'You can!' he said eagerly. 'I will take you with the greatest pleasure.'