Page:The Life of Mary Baker Eddy (Wilbur).djvu/87

Rh on this occasion the Baker sisters disagreed before their guests. Mrs. Glover had come into the parlors to assist her sister. She was a notable figure, because of her grace and beauty, though wasted in health, and her large eyes burned as she listened to the expressions of political opinion around her, called forth by the presidential campaign.

“And what does Mrs. Glover have to say to all this?” said a gentleman who had observed her repressed emotion while listening and taking no part in the conversation. All eyes turned toward her. Those who had not dared to venture an adverse opinion in the great house of the town hushed the lighter-minded around them. It was a moment of suspense such as only occasionally thrills a social gathering.

“I say,” said Mrs. Glover, “that the South as well as the North suffers from the continuance of slavery and its spread to other states; that the election of Franklin Pierce will but involve us in larger disputes; that emancipation is written on the wall.”

The gathering had received its thrill which went down the backs of the several guests like baptismal currents of lightning.

“Mary,” cried her sister, “do you dare to say that in my house?”

“I dare to speak what I believe in any house,” responded Mrs. Glover quietly.

The report of that speech went abroad. Mrs. Glover was remembered for it long by political thinkers of New Hampshire. They said Mrs. Eddy