Page:Maud Howe - Atlanta in the South.djvu/91

 Three or four young men and as many women rose to their feet in different parts of the building.

"Oh, my poor sinners, we all have been sinners too, and may be yet again; we will pray for you that the day of grace be not far off."

"Pray for de poor sinners," moaned Hero; "I 'se a sinner myself; dis congregation may not see de sin, but de Lord knows it, and de Lord 's a helpin' me to wash dis sin away,—

The people, always more prone to sing than to listen to prayer, caught up the song, and the rude music silenced the minister's voice,—

The minister had no further opportunity to speak, for the singing continued without interruption till the hour came for breaking up. When the benediction was pronounced, a period of social intercourse followed. An old woman with snow-white hair and piercing black eyes offered her hand to Margaret. At this Rondelet interfered, and drew her from the church, silent and full of thought.

As they walked home together through the moonlit streets, Philip told her of his foster-brother Hero, always his friend, once his chattel,