who found that the subjects
upon which he and Miss Hawkins could converse were few; but Miss Martha
was determined to keep things going, and once, when the conversation had
died out entirely, she made a desperate effort to renew it by remarking,
as they met a man on horseback, "That horse switches his tail just as
they do at the East. When I was to Bosting I saw horses switch their
tails just that way."

What surprised Ralph was to see that Flat Creek went to meeting.
Everybody was there--the Meanses, the Joneses, the Bantas, and all the
rest. Everybody on Flat Creek seemed to be there, except the old
wooden-legged basket-maker. His family was represented by Shocky, who
had come, doubtless, to get a glimpse of Hannah, not to hear Mr. Bosaw
preach. In fact, few were thinking of the religious service. They went
to church as a common resort to hear the news, and to find out what was
the current sensation.

On this particular morning there seemed to be some unusual excitement.
Ralph perceived it as he rode up. An excited crowd, even though it be at
a church-door on Sunday morning, can not conceal its agitation. Ralph
deposited Miss Hawkins on the stile, and then got down himself, and paid
her the closest attention to the door. This attention was for Bud's
benefit. But Bud only stood with his hands in his pockets, scowling
worse than ever. Ralph did not go in at the door. It was not the Flat
Creek custom. The men gossiped outside, while the women chatted within.
Whatever may have been the cause of the excitement, Ralph could not get
at it. When he entered a little knot of people they became embarrassed,
the group dissolved, and its component parts joined other companies.
What had the current of conversation to do with him? He overheard Pete
Jones saying that the blamed old wooden leg was in it anyhow. He'd been
seen goin' home at two in the mornin'. And he could name somebody else
ef he choosed. But it was best to clean out one at a time. And just then
there was a murmur: "Meetin's took up." And the masculine element filled
the empty half of the "hewed-log" church.

When Ralph saw Hannah looking utterly dejected, his heart smote him, and
the great struggle set in again. Had it not been for the thought of the
other battle, and the comforting presence of the Helper, I fear Bud's
interests would have fared badly. But Ralph, with the spirit of a
martyr, resolved to wait until he knew what the result of Bud's suit
should be,