forth like a volcano:

"Are these the thanks I get for all my toils and struggles? Shall
such a woman-preacher be able to direct? Ah, then, the devil be
your chairman if ever more I set my foot here! I have
kept your petty business in order until to-day; and after me
it will fall into a thousand pieces; but let it go now. Here are
the 'Records!' (and he flung them across the table). Out on such a
company of wenches and brats! (striking the table with his fist).
Out on the whole parish, that it can see a man recompensed as I
now am!"

He brought down his fist once more with such force, that the leaf
of the great table sprang upward, and the inkstand with all its
contents downward upon the floor, marking for coming generations
the spot where Lars Hogstad, in spite of all his prudence, lost
his patience and his rule.

He sprang for the door, and soon after was away from the house.
The whole audience stood fixed,--for the power of his voice and
his wrath had frightened them,--until Canute Aakre, remembering
the taunt he had received at the time of his fall, with beaming
countenance, and assuming Lars' voice, exclaimed:

"Is this the decisive blow in the matter?"

The assembly burst into uproarious merriment. The grave meeting
closed amid laughter, talk, and high glee; only few left the
place, those remaining called for drink, and made a night of
thunder succeed a day of lightning. They felt happy and