back stoop. They sat like lovers, his arm about her waist, while he told
his story. She expressed relief; she had feared it would be much worse;
he had only to say he didn't mean anythin', and she'd persuade her
father to forget and forgive. But the schoolmaster would not consent to
that. He had meant and did mean every word, and could take back nothing.
And when she appealed to his affection, he could only repeat that he'd
think it over. "You know I like you, Loo, but I can't do
impossibilities. It's unfortunate, perhaps, but it's done and can't be
undone." And then, annoyed at being pressed further, he thought they had
better go in: it was very cold; she'd catch a chill if she stayed
longer, and there was no sense in that. The girl, seeing that her
pleading was of no avail, grew angry; his love was good enough to talk
about, but it could not be worth much if he denied her so little a
thing; it didn't matter, though, she'd get along somehow, she guessed--
here they were startled by the sound of a door opening. Loo glided
quickly round the corner of the stoop, and entered the house. Bancroft
following her heard the back door shut, and some one go down the steps.
He could not help looking to see who was on foot at such an untimely
hour, and to his surprise perceived the Elder in a night-shirt, walking
with bare feet towards the stables through the long grass already stiff
with frost. Before the white figure had disappeared Bancroft assured
himself that Loo had gone up to bed the front way. Curiosity conquering
his first impulse, which had been to follow her example, he went after
the Elder, without, however, intending to play the spy. When he had
passed through the stables and got to the top of the slope overlooking
the creek, he caught sight of the Elder twenty yards away at the water's
edge. In mute surprise he watched the old man tie his night-shirt up
under his armpits, wade into the ice-cold water, kneel down, and begin
what was evidently meant to be a prayer. His first words were
conventional, but gradually his earnestness and excitement overcame his
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