Part 24 (1/2)
Silently Mr. Larkins returned the letter, not knowing what to say.
”What does it all mean?” questioned the parson, looking keenly into his neighbour's face. ”Am I only dreaming, or is it a joke?”
”Neither, father, dear,” Nellie replied, taking a seat near his side, and tenderly clasping his hand, which was trembling with excitement. ”It is all real, ah, too real! The people have been saying these things.”
”What, girl! Do you mean to tell me that these things have been talked about ever since the night of the fire?” demanded the parson.
”Yes, father, some have been saying them.”
”And you knew about these stories, Nellie?”
”Y--yes, some of them.”
”And you never said a word to me! Never gave me a hint of warning, but let me remain in ignorance the whole of this time!”
”We thought it was for the best, father. Don't get angry with me. I suppose I should have told you, but I thought the gossip would soon cease.”
”You thought so, did you! Girl, I didn't think you would deceive me--your father, in his old age! Have all my friends turned against me? Yes, yes, and even she, of my flesh and blood--the darling of my heart for whom I would die! G.o.d help me!”
”Father, father, dear! don't talk that way,” pleaded Nellie. ”You will break my heart. You don't know what I have suffered. Day and night the trouble has been with me. I loved you so much that I wished to spare you the worry. I thought it was for the best, but now I see I should have told you. You have friends, true and tried, who do not believe a word of these charges.”
The parson who had been gazing straight before him, rested his eyes upon his daughter weeping by his side. His face softened, and the old look returned.
”Forgive me, darling,” he said, placing his arm tenderly about her. ”I have wronged you and all my dear friends. But, oh, the blow is so sudden!
I hardly know what to think. What can I do?”
For over an hour they sat there and discussed the matter. As Mr. Larkins at length rose to go, he looked into Parson John's face so drawn and white, and almost cursed the wretches who had brought such trouble upon that h.o.a.ry head.
Chapter XX
The Overseer
The service at the parish church Sunday morning was largely attended. Word had spread rapidly that the Bishop would arrive during the week, and it was confidently expected that the parson would touch on the question from the pulpit.
”Guess we'll git something to-day,” one man remarked to another, near the church door.
”Y'bet,” was the brief response.
”D'ye think the parson will say anything about old Billy?”
”Mebbe he will, an' mebbe he won't.”
”But I think he will. The parson likes to hit from the pulpit when no one kin hit back.”
”Is that what brought you to church to-day? You seldom darken the door.”
”Sure! What else should I come fer? I'm not like you, Bill Flanders, wearin' out me shoes paddin' to church every Sunday. I kin be jist as good a Christian an' stay at home. I kin read me Bible an' say me prayers there.”
”I'm not denying that, Bill, but the question is, Do ye? I reckon ye never open yer Bible or say yer prayers either fer that matter. If you were in the habit of doin' so you never would hev signed that pet.i.tion to the Bishop.”