Part 20 (1/2)

And at last, the sermon:_The text to which I wish to call your attention this morning_my attention, forsooth! My attention was otherwise occupied.

Ah! A puff of warm, sweet air from behind me, and the soft, padding noise of the swinging doors, apprised me of an incomer. A cautious tread in the aisleI moved along a little to make room.

In a city church probably I should have thrown propriety to the winds and had the gist of the story out of him at once, but in a country church there are always such listening s.p.a.ces,the very pew-backs and cus.h.i.+ons seem attentive, the hymnals creak in their racks, and the little stools cry out nervously when one barely touches them. It was too much for me. I was coerced into an outer semblance of decorum. However, I s.n.a.t.c.hed a hasty glance at Jonathans face. It was quite red and hot-looking, but calm, very calm, and I judged it to be the calm, not of defeat nor yet of settled militancy, but of triumph. I even thought I detected the flicker of a grin,the mere atmospheric suggestion of a grin,as if he felt the urgent if furtive appeal in my glance. At any rate, Jonathan was all right, that was clear. And as to Grizwhether she was still one mare or two half-maresit didnt so much matter. And now for the sermon! I gathered myself to attend.

As we stood up for the last hymn, I whispered, How did it go?

All right. Shes. .h.i.tched, was the answer.

After church there was the usual stir of sociability, and when I emerged into the glare of the church steps, I saw Jonathan driving slowly around from the rear. Griz walked meekly, her head sagged, her eyes blinked.

Good quiet little horse youve got there, said a deacon over my shoulder; dont get restless standing, the way some horses do.

Yes, shes very quiet, I said.

I got in, and at last, as we drove off, the flood-gates of my impatience broke:

Well? I said,well?

Well said Jonathan.

_Well? Tell_ me about it!

Ive told you. I hitched her.

How did you hitch her?

Just the way I said I would.

Didnt she mind?

Dont know.

Did she make a fuss?

Not much.

What do you mean by much?

Oh, she set back a little.

Do any harm?

No.

Hurt herself?

Guess not.