He began to open his beak-like mouth in an astonished way, when a
by-stander interrupted him: "I suppose this here sudden death in our
midst" (it was easy to fall into pious phraseology in the presence of
Elder Dean) "will be made the subject of the prayer-meeting to-night?"

"It will," said Mr. Dean solemnly,--"it will. It is an awful example to
unbelievers. An' it is a lesson to the owners not to allow smoking in the
yards." Then, with a sharp look at Helen out of his narrow eyes, he
added, "I haven't seen you at prayer-meeting, lately, Mrs. Ward. It is a
blessed place, a blessed place: the Lord touches sinners' hearts with a
live coal from off his altar; souls have been taught to walk in the
light, in the light of God." Mr. Dean prolonged the last word in an
unctuous way, which he reserved for public prayer and admonition.

Helen did not answer.

But the elder was not rebuffed. "I hope we will see you soon," he said.
"A solemn season of revival is approaching. Why have you stayed away so
long, Mrs. Ward?"

Annoyed at the impertinence of his questions, Helen's face flushed a
little.

"I do not like the prayer-meeting," she answered quietly; but before the
elder could recover from the shock of such a statement, Mrs. Nevins had
come up to speak to him.

"Have you seen Mrs. Davis yet, Mr. Dean?" she said. "She took on awful,
last night; the neighbors heard her. 'T was after twelve 'fore she was
quiet."