"You've got a kind heart, in spite--"

"Oh, come now! Please quit, or I'll begin to swear a little to keep up the
reputation my neighbors have given me. Go home and tell Tim to brace up and
try to be a man. When I say I'm done with a grudge, I AM done. You and Mrs.
Holcroft can talk all you like, but please excuse me," and with more than most
men's horror of a scene, he escaped precipitately.

"Sit down, Mrs. Weeks," said Alida kindly.

"Well, I will. I can't say much to excuse myself or my folks--"

"You've already said everything, Mrs. Weeks," interrupted Alida gently;
"you've said you are sorry."

Mrs. Weeks stared a moment, and then resumed sententiously, "Well, I've heard
more gospel in that remark than if I'd gone to church. And I couldn't go to
church, I could never have gone there again or held my head up anywhere
if--if--"

"That's all past and gone," said Alida, smiling. "When Mr. Holcroft says
anything, you may depend on it."

"Well, God bless you for intercedin'--you had so much to forgive. Nobody shall
ever speak a word against you again while I've got breath to answer. I wish
you'd let me come and see you sometimes."

"Whenever you wish, if you care to visit one who has had so much--so much
trouble."