Chapter 40 - Page 2

people for thinking too much of
him again, for they will say that he induced God to send the rain.
To-night's meeting will be remembered long in Thrums."

Jean shuddered, and said, "It's mair like an ordinary rain now,
ma'am."

"But it has put out your fire, and I wanted another heater.
Perhaps the one I have is hot enough, though.'"

Margaret returned to the parlor, and from the kitchen Jean could
hear the heater tilted backward and forward in the box-iron--a
pleasant, homely sound when there is happiness in the house. Soon
she heard a step outside, however, and it was followed by a rough
shaking of the barred door.

"Is it you, Mr. Dishart?" Jean asked nervously.

"It's me, Tammas Whamond," the precentor answered. "Unbar the
door."

"What do you want? Speak low."

"I winna speak low. Let me in. I hae news for the minister's
mother."

"What news?" demanded Jean.

"Jean Proctor, as chief elder of the kirk I order you to let me do
my duty."

"Whaur's the minister?"

"He's a minister no longer. He's married a gypsy woman and run awa
wi' her."

"You lie, Tammas Whamond. I believe--"

"Your belief's of no consequence. Open the door, and let me in to
tell your mistress what I hae seen."

"She'll hear it first frae his ain lips if she hears it ava. I
winna open the door."

"Then I'll burst it open,"

Whamond flung himself at the door, and Jean, her fingers rigid
with fear, stood waiting for its fall. But the rain came to her
rescue by lashing the precentor until even he was forced to run
from it.

"I'll be back again," he cried. "Woe to you, Jean Proctor, that
hae denied your God this nicht."

"Who was that speaking to you, Jean?" asked Margaret, re-entering
the kitchen. Until the rain abated Jean did not attempt to answer.

"I thought it was the precentor's voice," Margaret said.

Jean was a poor hand at lying, and she stuttered in her answer.

"There is nothing wrong, is there?" cried Margaret, in sudden
fright. "My son--"

"Nothing, nothing."

The words jumped from Jean to save Margaret from falling. Now she
could not take them back. "I winna believe it o' him," said Jean
to herself. "Let them say what they will, I'll be true to him; and
when he comes back he'll find her as he left her."

"It was Lang Tammas," she answered her mistress; "but he just came
to say that--"

"Quick, Jean! what?"