And it took Miss Wingate several minutes after her hurried adieus to
get over the effect of the Squire's inhibitory caution. But the
haven for which she had been instinctively aiming was just across
the Road, and she found a peace and quiet which sank into her
perturbed soul like a benediction. The Deacon sat by Mrs. Bostick's
bed with his Bible across his thin old knees, and Eliza was crouched
on the floor just in front of him, with her knees in her embrace and
her eyes fixed on his gentle face. Little Bettie Pratt lay across
Mrs. Bostick's bed, deep in her afternoon nap, and Henny Turner was
stretched out full length on the floor in front of the window, while
'Lias sat with his back against the wall with the puppy in his arms.
The pale face of the sweet invalid was lit by a gentle smile, and
she held one of the sleeping child's warm little hands in her frail,
knotted, old fingers. Unnoticed, Miss Wingate and Martin Luther
paused a moment at the door.

"Golly, Deacon, but didn't he do him up at one shot, and nothing but
a little piece of rock in the gum-sling!" exclaimed 'Lias in
excitement over the climax of the tale the Deacon had just
completed. "I wisht I was that strong!"

"It was the strength the Lord gived to him, 'Lias Hoover, to special
kill the giant with," said Eliza in an argumentative tone of voice.
"Do you reckon He tooken the strength away from David the next
morning, Deacon, or let him keep it to use all the time?" Eliza's
extreme practicality showed at all times, even in those of deepest
excitement.

The Deacon was saved the strain of intellect involved in making
reply to this demand by his wife's low exclamation of pleasure as