Page:The Galaxy, Volume 6.djvu/220

198 when brother John was a baby. I had been sent away in my little childhood to a drab-colored boarding-school, and had caught from my teachers and from constant association with "Friends," a steadiness of deportment which gave general satisfaction. Father hoped I had quite outgrown the troublesome impulsiveness of my infancy. The truth is, dear reader, I kept myself under lock and key. Cousin Sophia knew it; Dr. Hathaway knew it; and so did Martha, our maid, and brother John; for there were times when I was really obliged to come out and act myself before somebody.

Whether this Friend Adam would ever see me otherwise than as a demure Quaker damsel, depended entirely upon the natural magnetism of his nature. Thee may wonder what were my presentiments on that subject? Ah, friend, thee needn't ask too close questions. A woman may have her intuitions; but even when one tries to tell a true story, don't thee think there are some things one might as well keep back?

Dr. Hathaway was in the house when we reached home. Cousin Sophia had sent for him during a "nervous attack."

"Friend Edward," said I, "I am glad to have thee here. Now, thee must stay to dinner and talk as fast as thee can for dear life."

He did stay, and harangued so lengthily on politics that I had time to pour the tea with Adam's blue eyes looking the other way.

Dinner was over at last; and, as soon as father saw me alone, he asked me, rather anxiously, how I liked Friend Mott.

"Father," said I, "I have not seen him yet."

"Not seen him, child?"

" No, father, he has retired within his brains and locked himself in, and does not come out."

Father smiled.

"He is rather 'put to it ' for talk, Eve; but I'm satisfied he is a worthy young man."

Well, he kept staying and staying. I found out one thing—he had a "gift of the Spirit," and could preach with the best. But I never liked the man so well as I did when he fell to discussing the state of the country. Then his voice thrilled us like a battle trumpet. He thought just as father and I did, and we were patriotic to the ends of our fingers.

"I reckon he knows which side his bread is buttered on," remarked Brother John, who had never taken very kindly to our new acquaintance.

Friend Mott said he was glad we could shake hands on the war question; for the Friends in general held different views. If his life was spared, he intended to enlist at the very next call. My heart glowed with sympathy as he talked of resisting unto blood, striving against sin; but, in spite of his virtues, I was not at my ease with him yet. And still he staid.

"Perhaps he thinks he has alighted in the garden of Eden, and dreads to leave it," said Cousin Sophia, looking very wise.

"I am tired of that joke, cousin. If he is Adam and I am Eve, the more's the pity."

"An odd coincidence though, isn't it, my dear? Said Mrs. Mott to your father—'I've named my oldest boy Adam; name your daughter Eve; and when they are of age they shall marry.

"Friend Mott's mother didn't say that, Cousin Sophia?"