University of Virginia Library

6. CHAPTER VI.

When the news of Mr. Slack's escapade reached Dukesborough,
there was running to and fro. Business was suspended. Some asked
if the like had ever been heard of; others asked everybody if they
hadn't told him so. J. Spouter was among the former, and Mr. Bill
Williams among the latter. He got leave of absence from the store,
in order to roam up and down all the forenoon for the purpose of
proving that he had prophesied what had taken place, or its equivalent.
He was delighted: my observation is that almost everybody is, by the
verification of a prophecy which he has made, or which he thinks he
has made. Miss Spouter tried to laugh, but she didn't make much out
of it. Mrs. Spouter didn't laugh at all. How could she when she
remembered the plates of butter that had been consumed, not only
without thanks but without pay? She did all the talking in the domestic
circle. Mr. Spouter seemed inclined to be taciturn. He merely
remarked that he had never been so outed in his born days, and then
shut up. But then Mr. Spouter never had much to say when Mrs.
Spouter had the floor; if, however, he had had the floor now, there
was nothing for him to say. He had not sued his debtor, but for
reasons other than the being a merciful creditor. He was not used to
such things. Indeed, the very word suit was, and had long been,
disagreeable to his ear; so much so that he had never gone into
court of his own accord. It was one of his boasts, in comparing
himself with some others, that he had never been plaintiff in an action,
and never expected to be. He always discouraged people from going
to law, maintaining that people never got much by going there: a
remark that was true when confined in its application to those who
had gone there carrying him with them. Yet, Mr. Spouter seldom
lost a bill. It was always a wonder to me how rapidly persons in his
condition could collect their bills. But this time Mr. Spouter, as he
said, was “outed.” As he didn't relish Mr. Bill Williams' jokes; and
as Mrs. Spouter didn't, and at last as Miss Spouter didn't, Mr. B.
W. had to suspend.

Poor Mr. Pucket! his mind had been set upon a fee; but as no one

could be found who could run faster than Mr. Triplet, and as the
fugitive had three days' start, there was no pursuit. None but a briefless
lawyer can imagine how badly Mr. Pucket felt.

“And so she isn't married after all!” said Miss Spouter to herself,
when she was alone in her chamber that night. “Not married after
all; no more than I am. Yes, I suppose more than I am; because
she thought she was married, and I knew I wasn't. That makes some
difference; and then — and then —” But it was too wonderful for
Miss Spouter: she couldn't make it out. So she only said, “Oh, I
wonder how she feels!”

Now, there was but one way to get the desired information, and
that was to see her and hear it from her own mouth. To most persons
that way would seem to be barred, because the last time the two ladies
met, Miss Spouter had refused to speak. But it did not seem so to
her; she would herself remove all obstacles. She would forgive
George! Yes, that she would. Wasn't it noble to forgive? Didn't
the Bible teach us to forgive? Yes, she would forgive. What a glory
overspread the heart of the injured when, in that tender moment, she
found she could forgive. She wished now that she had gone to
Georgiana to-day; she would go to-morrow. Malice should never
have an abiding place in that heart. It might have it in other people's
hearts, but it should never have it in that one. Never, no never,
while memory remains. She laid herself calmly and sweetly upon her
bed, and was forcibly reminded, as she thought of herself and her
conduct, of the beauty and the serenity of a summer's evening.