d seen the night before descended the hill
from their abode. They were now dressed in their Sunday's best. The
master of the house led the way. They presently joined us, when a quiet
sober greeting ensued on each side. After a little time Peter shook me
by the hand and bade me farewell till the evening; Winifred did the same,
adding, that she hoped I should be visited by sweet and holy thoughts.
The whole party then moved off in the direction by which we had come the
preceding night, Peter and the master leading the way, followed by
Winifred and the mistress of the family. As I gazed on their departing
forms, I felt almost inclined to follow them to their place of worship.
I did not stir, however, but remained leaning against my oak with my
hands behind me.

And after a time I sat me down at the foot of the oak with my face turned
towards the water, and, folding my hands, I fell into deep meditation. I
thought on the early Sabbaths of my life, and the manner in which I was
wont to pass them. How carefully I said my prayers when I got up on the
Sabbath morn, and how carefully I combed my hair and brushed my clothes
in order that I might do credit to the Sabbath day. I thought of the old
church at pretty D---, the dignified rector, and yet more dignified
clerk. I thought of England's grand Liturgy, and Tate and Brady's
sonorous minstrelsy. I thought of the Holy Book, portions of which I was
in the habit of reading between service. I thought, too, of the evening
walk which I sometimes took in fine weather like the present, with my
mother and brother--a quiet sober walk, during which I would not break
into a run, even to chase a butterfly, or yet more a honey-bee, being
fully convinced of the dread importance of the day which God had
hallowed. And how glad I was when I had got over the Sabbath day without
having done anything to profane it. And how soundly I slept on the
Sabbath night after the toil of being very good throughout the day.

And when I had mused on those times a long while, I sighed and said to
myself, I am much altered since then; am I altered for the better? And
then I looked at my hands and my apparel, and sighed again. I was not
wont of yore to appear thus on the Sabbath day.

For a long time I continued in a state of deep meditation, till at last I
lifted up my eyes to the sun, which, as usual during that glorious
summer, was shining in unclouded majesty; and then I lowered them to the
sp