"There isn't any meeting here to-night, and we might have known there
wouldn't be," Flossy said, peevishly, beginning to grow not only
disenchanted but half frightened. "I was never in such a queer place in
my life! Those white seats all look like ghosts. What could have
possessed you to come to-night? Of course they wouldn't have meeting in
the rain! Marion, do let us go back; I am frightened out of my wits!"

"You blessed little simpleton!" said Marion, gaily. "What on earth is
there to be frightened over? Not pine seats and lamplight, surely, and
there is nothing more formidable than that so far."

"I wish with all my heart that I were safely back in the hotel, where I
would have been if you had not coaxed me away," sighed, or rather
whined, poor Flossy, shivering with chilliness or nervousness, and
added: "Come, Marion, do let us go back with that boat. It can't have
started yet."

Marion grasped her hand firmly, and spoke like a commander:

"Flossy Shipley, don't you go to getting nervous and acting like a
simpleton, for I won't have it. As for that boat, it is half way to
Mayville by this time, and I am glad of it. Do you suppose I am going to
make an ignominious retreat now, when we have got so far advanced? Not a
bit of it. If there is no meeting, we will go where there ought to be
one, since it was advertised, and not a word said about rain. It isn't
likely they stay out-doors when it actually pours. Very likely they go
in somewhere and have a prayer-meeting. So now compose your nerves and
walk fast, for if the spot is within walking distance I am going to find
it. I tell you I am to get ten dollars at least for writing up this