n unity."

Someone in the back part of the church suggested trinity as a substitute
and started a titter, but the preacher had already got his dramatic
momentum, and was sweeping along in a tumultuous tide of oratory. Right
at his three victims did he aim his fiery eloquence, and ever and again
he came back to his theme, "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell together in unity," even though Ann Pease had turned
her back on William, whose head was low bowed, and Nancy was
ostentatiously weeping into a yellow silk handkerchief.

The sermon spurred on to a tempestuous close, and then came the climax
when the doors of the church were opened. William and Nancy immediately
went up to end their probation, and after a few whispered remarks the
minister shook hands with each of them, then raising his voice he said:
"Now, brothahs and sistahs, befo' you all gives dese lambs de right
han' o' fellowship to welcome dem to de fol', I want Sister Ann Pease to
come up an' be de first to bid 'em God speed on the gospel way." Ann
Pease visibly swelled, but she marched up, and without looking at
either, shook hands with each of her enemies.

"Hallelujah, praise de Lord," shouted the preacher, clapping his hands,
"Behold how good and how pleasant it is; and now let the congregation in
gineral come aroun' and welcome Brothah and Sistah Pease."

His rich bass voice broke into "Bless Be the Tie that Binds," and as the
volume of the hymn, swelled by the full chorus of the congregation,
rolled away to the rafters of the little church, the people rose and
marched solemnly round, shaking hands with the new members and with each
other.

Brother and Sister Pease were the last to leave church that day, but
they found Ann waiting for them at the door. She walked straight up to
them and spoke: "Nancy Rogers," she said, "I know you; I kin see claih
thoo you, and you ain't a foolin' me one bit. All I got to say is dat I
has done my Christian duty, an' I ain't gwine do no mo', so don' you
speak to me fo'm dis day out."

For the brief space of a second there was something like a gleam in
Nancy's eyes, but she replied in all meekness, "I's a full-blown
Christian now, an' I feel it my bounden duty to speak to you, Sis'
Pease, an' I's gwine t' speak."

Ignoring this defiance the other woman turned to her former husband. She
looked at him with unveiled contempt, then she said slowly, "An' ez fu'
Wi'yum, Gawd he'p you."

Here a