“You have never been inside of Fairview church, Damon,” my father said to him, quite familiarly, late in the afternoon; “won’t you come to-night?”
“I will walk on with Ned,” Barker replied, good-naturedly, and rising, “and think of it after I reach the cross roads; I see it is almost time to start.”
After taking his leave of all of them in a courteous way, I walked with him along the path leading across the field, my father excusing me from further attendance for that purpose.
We proceeded quite leisurely, as there was no hurry, and after we had walked a considerable distance my companion said:--
“A very pretty girl, and intelligent enough, but weak. She could be coaxed into anything. They say that is true of all light-haired women.”
I did not know whether he meant Agnes or Mateel, so I inquired, “Who?”
“The one you call Mateel. She has a pretty face, but were I inclined to criticise such a delightful girl I should say she lacks decision. The other one hardly spoke to me. What is it they call her?”
“The school-teacher, I believe. She is very much of a woman, though evidently young. I admire her more than the other one. Do her people live here?”
“Very respectable, I have no doubt. I should like to know her father, and congratulate him.”
He walked on in silence for a considerable distance.
I narrated what little I could tell of the family after the promise to Agnes, though I longed to tell him of her mother; but it seemed to bore him, and he dismissed the subject after I had concluded in a rhapsody for the gentle and patient Agnes.
By this time we had reached the cross-road, leading in one direction to the church and in the other toward his home. He stopped here, and said:--
“I will not go to the church to-night, if you will be good enough to present my excuse to your father. It is a long road home, and I must walk it. You know that you are always welcome at the mill, and that Jo is anxious to see you. Good-night.”
He turned abruptly on his heel, and, walking away, his form was soon lost in the rapidly approaching darkness.
When I arrived at the church I found the others all there, and was surprised to find Bragg in better humor, as if the darkness suited his disposition better. He was walking about quite contentedly, looking curiously (and impudently) at the knots of people collected in the yard, and listening to what they were saying. At times I thought he would speak to them, and his eyes, dull and heavy all day, were now as bright and active as a ferret’s, and I thought he could penetrate the darkness with them, for while the services were in progress he kept walking about, closely regarding everything, as though it were broad daylight. When the people came out, he met the Shepherds at the door, and went down the walk with Mateel on his arm, and when they drove away I thought I heard him talking quite good-naturedly. Had the fellow’s spirits deserted him at the approach of day, and come back with the darkness?