" The widow turned away, and pretended to
talk to Julia.
"Oh!" gasped Polly, stunned by the widow's rebuff.
She stood with bowed head in the centre of the circle. The blood
flew from her cheeks, then she turned to go.
Douglas stepped quickly to her side. "Wait a minute," he said.
She paused, all eyes were turned upon them. "Is this a game that
grown- ups can play?"
"Why, yes, of course."
"Good! Then I'll make up your set. I need a little amusement
just now. Excuse me," he added, turning to the deacons. Then he
ran with her out through the trees.
The deacons and the women stared at each other, aghast.
"Well, what do you think of that?" said Mrs. Willoughby, as the
flying skirts of the girl and the black figure of the man
disappeared up the path.
"I think it's scandalous, if you are talking to me," said Miss
Perkins. "The idea of a full- grown parson a-runnin' off to play
children's games with a circus ridin' girl!"
"She isn't such a child," sneered Julia.
"It's ENOUGH to make folks talk," put in Mrs. Willoughby, with a
sly look at the deacons.
"And me a-waitin' to discuss the new church service," bellowed
Strong.
"And me a-waiting to give him Mrs. Elverson's message," piped
Elverson.
"The church bore all this in silence so long as that girl was
sick," snapped Miss Perkins.
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