"last Sabba' day afternoon."

By these simple means the party at table consisted of the deacon himself,
Mary, Roswell Gardiner, and the Rev. Mr. Whittle. The fish was excellent,
being so fresh and so skilfully prepared; and Mary was highly complimented
by all who ate of it, for her share in the entertainment. But Mary Pratt
seemed sad. She had not yet recovered from the melancholy feelings
awakened by the recent death and funeral; and then her thoughts recurred,
with few interruptions, to the long voyage of Roswell, and most especially
to the unhappy state of religious belief in which he would undertake so
hazardous an expedition. Several times had she hinted to the clergyman her
desire that he would 'talk to Roswell;' but the good man, though
well-enough inclined, had really so much to do in 'providing,' that it was
not a very easy matter for him to go beyond the beaten track, in order to
probe the consciences of particular individuals. He promised fairly, but
always forgot to perform; and in this he imitated closely the example set
him by his parishioners, in reference to his own salary.

Roswell Gardiner, therefore, remained in his unbelief; or, what was
tantamount to it, under the influence of a set of opinions that conflicted
with all that the church had taught since the time of the apostles--at
least so thought Mary, and so think we.

On the contrary, the pastor and the deacon were particularly gay, for men
of their habitual sobriety. Although those were not the days of
temperance, _par excellence_, neither of the guests was what might be
termed even a moderate drinker. For a novelty in a sailor, Roswell
Gardiner seldom touched anything but water, while the other two took their
rum and water; but it was in moderation, as all the gifts of God should be
used. As for the intemperate cry which makes it a sin to partake of any