If Sidney did not preach Christ he at least preached His word—and in His spirit, and the people to whom he preached never doubted of the chaos which was in the soul of their teacher. Their teacher who night and day kept their joys and sorrows in his heart.
Sidney was walking home through the powdery snow to the parsonage when he met Temperance; her face was set, and she was evidently in some distress of mind. One of Sidney’s first pastoral duties had been to marry Temperance and Nathan. They were established in the old Lansing house, for Nathan had rented the farm. Old Mr. Lansing lived with them.
“Well, Temperance!” said Sidney. “It’s an age since I’ve seen you; how’s everyone with you?”
“Oh, well,” said Temperance, “but”—looking at him shrewdly—“it don’t seem to me that you are over and above well yourself.”
“Oh—I’m always well—except for the headaches, and Vashti cures them.”
“Yes, I’ll be bound she does,” said Temperance irascibly. “You ain’t got a mite of sense neither one of you; them passes and performances ain’t good for you. I don’t believe in ’em, and for a minister! Sakes! they say you are an angel in the village; take care you don’t get to be one.”
“Then you have your doubts about my being angelic?” said Sidney laughing.
Temperance coloured, but did not give way.
“Men’s men,” she said; “only some of them are better nor others,” then she paused and grew grave and troubled again.
“You’ve something worrying you,” said Sidney kindly; “what is it?”
“Well,” said Temperance, “I don’t know if I’m over anxious or not, but—have you heard anything about Lanty lately?”
“Yes, I did,” admitted Sidney, “and I was terribly sorry to hear it. Do you suppose it can be true?”
“I don’t want to believe it,” said Temperance, two bright spots burning on her cheeks; “but—but—well—Nathan was over at Brixton to-day, and Lanty was there, and he was—not himself.”
“Oh, poor Mabella!” said Sidney; “I’m so sorry. I never dreamt it could be true. What can be done?”
“Nothing—that I know of,” said Temperance. “M’bella’s close as wax and quite right too, but she’s got a worried look; I can see through M’bella, and as for Lanty, well—it would be a pretty brave one that would speak to Lanty—he has a look!”
