udence, seeking to witness such a sight.' And as she
spoke she held fast her cloak, which Prudence vehemently struggled for.
Faith returned, brought back possibly by the sound of the struggle. She
smiled--a deadly smile.
'Give it up, Prudence. Strive no more with her. She has bought success
in this world, and we are but her slaves.'
'Oh, Faith!' said Lois, relinquishing her hold of the cloak, and
turning round with passionate reproach in her look and voice, 'what
have I done that you should speak so of me; you, that have loved as I
think one love a sister?'
Prudence did not lose her opportunity, but hastily arrayed herself in
the mantle, which was too large for her, and which she had, therefore,
considered as well adapted for concealment; but, as she went towards
the door, her feet became entangled in the unusual length, and she
fell, bruising her arm pretty sharply.
'Take care, another time, how you meddle with a witch's things,' said
Faith, as one scarcely believing her own words, but at enmity with all
the world in her bitter jealousy of heart. Prudence rubbed her arm and
looked stealthily at Lois.
'Witch Lois! Witch Lois!' said she at last, softly, pulling a childish
face of spite at her.
'Oh, hush, Prudence! Do not bandy such terrible words. Let me look at
thine arm. I am sorry for thy hurt, only glad that it has kept thee
from disobeying thy mother.'
'Away, away!' said Prudence, springing from her. 'I am afeard of her in
very truth, Faith. Keep between me and the witch, or I will throw a
stool at her.'
Faith smiled--it was a bad and wicked smile--but she did not stir to
calm the fears she had called up in her young sister. Just at this
moment, the bell began to toll. Hota, the Indian witch, was dead. Lois
covered her face with her hands. Even Faith went a deadlier pale than
she had been, and said, sighing, 'Poor Hota! But death is best.'
Prudence alone seemed unmoved by any thoughts connected with the
solemn, monotonous sound. Her only consideration was, that now she
might go out into the street and see the sights, and hear the news, and
escape from the terror which she felt at the presence of her cousin.
She flew up stairs to find her own mantle, ran down again, and past
Lois, before the English girl had finished her prayer, and was speedily
mingled among the crowd going to the meetinghouse. There also Faith and
Lois came in due course of time, but separately, not together. Faith so
evident
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