take keer of
the babies, and the sick folks, and how to git the hens to lay, and how
to cook, and all!"

"To cook! That is indeed a noble work," murmured Channing, devoutly,
having recourse to his flask of soda-mints. "Would that our hostess
might take advantage of the opportunity!"

"She have," said Brother Bates, proudly. "She done nussed the whole
fambly through a fever-sickness a little while ago, doin' like Teacher
told her, and nary one of 'em died. But she ain't got so fur as cookin'
yet."

"I'd like to meet this teacher," said Philip, heartily. "Will he be at
the meeting to-night?"

The Apostle sighed. "Reck'n he won't. Ain't it queer how a smart man
like that don't take no stock in the Word of God? 'Lows he's scrambled
along without it all his life, and allus will. But I dunno. I dunno. I
expect the Lord's got a surprise up his sleeve for Teacher."

The door-yard of the rough cabin that was dignified by the name of
meeting-house was quite crowded with men when they arrived. Philip went
among them pleasantly, saying, "Good evening, my friends," shaking hands
where he could find a hand to shake, greeted here and there by a gruff,
"Howdy, Preacher," but for the most part welcomed in solemn, almost
hostile silence.

"They're just kind o' bashful," murmured the peddler, in apology for his
people.

"I know," smiled Philip, himself feeling a little shy, and like an
intruder.

They filed in silently behind him, each depositing a gun in a rack
beside the meeting-house door.

"I breathe more easily," murmured Channing in Jacqueline's ear. "For
small mercies, let us be duly thankful. Lord, what a crew!"

The two followed Philip to the bare, uncarpeted platform that was to
serve as altar. The girl saw to her dismay that there was no piano, not
even a harmonium to assist her singing. Brother Bates acted as master of
ceremonies. The peddler was evidently a man of great importance in the
community, its one traveler, acquainted with the ways of cities.

"Let marryin' couples set on the right-hand, front benches. Preacher
will attend to 'em after meetin'," he announced.

Four or five couples obeyed these instructions with subdued tittering,
the fact that several of the brides-to-be carried young infants in their
arms not adding appreciably to their embarrassment.

"Have they licenses?" murmured Philip.

"I dunno," replied the Apostle, serenely. "Ef they ain't, they kin git
'em afterwards. The Lord knows how f