"Good!" said the deacon, who had been watching the couple closely.
"We'll go around by the back way, so nobody'll see either of you, if
you don't want them to. I'll take Samuel along with me, and you can
drop in wherever you think best, Mrs. Kimper. I'm not going back on any
man who is going to turn over a new leaf. Come along."




CHAPTER IV.


The church at which Deacon Quickset worshipped was not large, nor was
it ever well filled when prayer and experience were the only
attractions. When Sam Kimper entered, however, the place seemed so
immense and the throng so great that nothing but the bulk of the
deacon, which had been prudently placed in the rear of the new convert,
kept him from turning about and escaping into the darkness. Even when
placed in a seat the outer end of which was occupied by the deacon, the
frightened man cast his eyes appealingly towards his keeper,--for such
was the relation he felt the deacon bore towards him. Finally he
slipped slowly along the seat and whispered,--

"Deacon, I can't speak; I can't think of a word to say. It's a shame to
have a fellow like me talkin' to good church-members about what they
know more about than him."

"You'll have to acknowledge Him before men, Samuel, if you expect Him
to acknowledge you."