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THE abrupt closing of the meeting spread an aura of evil over the dismissed congregation. One old woman, Mrs. Wendler, trembled out that she felt like she was walking home "under condemnation." Her very phraseology held a Biblical flavour because the hill folk are a remnant of that violent religious ferment in England during the time of Wesley, Calvin, and Penn. Among the homeward procession prevailed the same fearful psychology. In the darkness they sensed the presence of the Prince of Darkness.

This sentience of vast evil pursued both Abner and Nessie back to the Scovell House. On the way they exchanged a few dampened remarks in low voices.

Once Nessie said, "Tug Beavers broke up the meeting."

Abner said he reckoned he did, but what made the preacher pick on Tug?

"I guess he saw Tug was a hard case."

For Nessie to call his friend a "hard case" disturbed Abner. He was surprised that the girl, whose moods so exquisitely fitted his own, should form so erroneous a judgment.

"Tug really wants to do right, Nessie," said Abner in the gentlest remonstrance.

The girl looked around at her companion in the gloom.

"He picked a poor way to show it—breakin' up the meetin'."

"It wasn't jest Tug."

"Why couldn't he go to the mourners' bench when the preacher ast him?"

"Well"—Abner could think of no reason why any mortal man should not go to the mourners' bench and bewail his