He did not promise, but raising his hat struck off into a little path by the roadside, that led up into the woods.
"What a pity," said Mrs.Hollenbeck musingly, "that a man of such fine intellect should have such vague religious faith." Mr.Langenau was at home for dinner, but he did not see me at that meal, for my head ached so, and I felt so weary that when I came up-stairs after church, it seemed impossible to go down again.

I should have been very glad to make the same excuse serve for the remainder of the day, but really the rest and a cup of tea had so restored me, that no excuse remained at six o'clock.
All families have their little Sunday habits, I have found; the Sunday rule in this house was, to have tea at half-past six, and to walk by the river till after the sun had set; then to come home and have sacred music in the parlor.

After tea, accordingly, we took our shawls on our arms (it still being very warm) and walked down toward the river.
I kept beside Mrs.Hollenbeck and Benny, where only I felt safe.
The criticism I had heard had given me such a shock, I did not feel that I ever could be careful enough of what I said and did.

And I vaguely felt my mother's honor would be vindicated, if I showed myself always a modest and prudent woman.
"It was so well that I heard them," I kept saying to myself, but I felt so much older and so much graver.

My silence and constraint were no doubt differently interpreted.