Presently, he continued:--
"To descend for a moment to secular subjects--I've got my own horses here
now, Miss Hungerford. I had my man Bob bring them down from Providence.
They got here last night, and they're a pair of spankers, too, if I do
say it that shouldn't, as the phrase is. That was one of the inducements
which led me to follow your--to follow Captain Keeler's example in coming
to church this morning. And now I have a calm, serious, and reasonable
proposal to make. No doubt we are both familiar with the small
conventionalities of life, but on such a day as this, and with such a
glorious air outside, and such a unique framework of society--everything
delightfully pagan--scruples worthy only of small consideration at any
time should be thrown aside. I don't know what perils you encountered
on your way to church this morning, in the canvas-covered vehicle. But,
if you will drive back to Wallencamp with me, I promise to take you there
fleetly and safely, and you may have the consciousness, besides, if you
care for it, that you have made the day one of spiritual reclamation to
an erring fellow-creature."
[Illustration: VISITORS' DAY AT THE WALLENCAMP SCHOOL-HOUSE.
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