persons of the male sex, according to this woman, were easily put
upon, deceived and otherwise led astray by artful young women from
the city, who were represented as perpetually on the lookout for easy
marks, like Wesley Elliot.

"He ain't any different from other men, if he _is_ a minister," said
she with a comprehensive sniff. "They're all alike, as far as I can
find out: anybody that's a mind to soft-soap them and flatter them
into thinkin' they're something great can lead them right around by
the nose. And besides, _she's_ got _money!_"

Fanny had affected a haughty indifference to the doings of Wesley
Elliot, which did not for a moment deceive her keen-eyed informer.

"Of course, anybody with eyes in their heads can see what's taken
place," compassionated she, impaling the unfortunate Fanny on the
prongs of her sympathy. "My! I was telling George only yesterday, I
thought it was a _perfect shame!_ and somebody ought to speak out
real plain to the minister."

Whereat Fanny had been goaded into wishing the woman would mind her
own business! She did wish everybody would leave her and her affairs
alone! People had no right to talk! As for speaking to the minister;
let any one dare--!

As for Ellen Dix, she had never quite forgiven Lydia for innocently
acquiring the fox skin and she had by now almost persuaded herself
that she was passionately in love with Jim Dodge. She had always
liked him--at least, she had not actively disliked him, as some of
the other girls professed to do. She had found his satirical tongue,