e we were; they might amount in all to
twelve individuals. The principal person was a tall, athletic man, of
about forty, dressed like a plain country farmer; this was, I soon found,
the husband of Mary; the rest of the group consisted of the children of
these two, and their domestic servants. One after another they all shook
Peter by the hand, men and women, boys and girls, and expressed their joy
at seeing him. After which he said, 'Now, friends, if you please, I will
speak a few words to you.' A stool was then brought him from the cart,
which he stepped on, and the people arranging themselves round him, some
standing, some seated on the ground, he forthwith began to address them
in a clear, distinct voice; and the subject of his discourse was the
necessity, in all human beings, of a change of heart.

The preacher was better than his promise, for, instead of speaking a few
words, he preached for at least three-quarters of an hour; none of the
audience, however, showed the slightest symptom of weariness; on the
contrary, the hope of each individual appeared to hang upon the words
which proceeded from his mouth. At the conclusion of the sermon or
discourse the whole assembly again shook Peter by the hand, and returned
to their house, the mistress of the family saying, as she departed, 'I
shall soon be back, Peter; I go but to make arrangements for the supper
of thyself and company'; and, in effect, she presently returned, attended
by a young woman, who bore a tray in her hands. 'Set it down, Jessy,'
said the mistress to the girl, 'and then betake thyself to thy rest, I
shall remain here for a little time to talk with my friends.' The girl
departed, and the preacher and the two females placed themselves on the
ground about the tray. The man gave thanks, and himself and his wife
appeared to be about to eat, when the latter suddenly placed her hand
upon his arm, and said something to him in a low voice, whereupon he
exclaimed, 'Ay, truly, we were both forgetful'; and then getting up, he
came towards me, who stood a little way off, leaning against the wheel of
my cart; and, taking me by the hand, he said, 'Pardon us, young man, we
were both so engaged in our own creature-comforts, that we forgot thee,
but it is not too late to repair our fault; wilt thou not join us, and
taste our bread and milk?' 'I cannot eat,' I replied, 'but I think I
could drink a little milk'; whereupon he led me to the rest, and seating
me by