"For speech of that in thee conduct which were better, as between an
elder friend and a younger, to be talked over alone," said Mr. Oldmixon
severely.

Now, Wholesome, though disgusted by his lack of power to keep the silent
pledges he had given when he entered the Society of Friends, was not
dissatisfied with his conduct as he judged it by his own standard of
right. Moreover, like many warm-hearted people, he was quick of temper,
as we have seen. His face flushed, and he paused beside the overseer:
"There are none here who do not know most of what passed this morning;
but as you do not know all, let me advise you to hold your peace and go
your ways, and leave me to such reproach as God may send me."

"If that God send thee any," muttered Schmidt.

But Nicholas Oldmixon was like a war-horse smelling the battle afar off,
and anything like resistance to an overseer in the way of duty roused
him into the sternness which by no means belonged to the office, but
rather to the man. "If," he said, "any in membership with us do
countenance or promote tumults, they shall be dealt with as disorderly
persons. Wherefore did thee give way to rash violence this morning?"

Priscilla grew pale, I think. She said, "Friend Nicholas, thee forgets
the Christian courtesy of our people one to another. Let it rest a
while: friend Richard may come to think better of it by and by."

"And that I trust he may never," muttered Schmidt.

But the overseer was not to be stayed. "Thee would do better to mind the
things of thy house and leave us," he said. "The ways of this young man