She began to realise that he was truly in trouble, whether because of the greatness of the revelation or because of private distress she could not tell.

She became more pitiful.
"I hope you are well, Mr.Smith, and that Emma is well.

There is nothing to really distress you, is there ?" In hearing the increased gentleness of her tone he seemed to find a more easy expression for his pent-up feeling.

"It's come upon me in a very cutting way, truly as the prophets said like a two-edged sword, and at the time too when I was inquiring of the Lord concerning--" He stopped here, and she felt that his manner grew more confidential, but he did not look at her, his eyes sought the ground--"concerning a matter which has given me no little heart searching." He stopped again, she listening with a good deal of interest.
"It's come to me to observe that among the chosen people--there ain't no gainsayin' it, Sister Halsey, though I trust you to be discreet and not mention the matter, but in the days when the divine favour rested on Israel each man had more than one wife; and the Lord Himself says He give them to Solomon, the only objection being to heathen partners." "Do you mean, Mr.Smith, that I'm not to mention what everybody knows already, that in the Old Testament times polygamy was practised ?" The now entire lack of sympathy in her tone affected him as an intentional act of rudeness would affect an ordinary man.

The tissue of his mind, which had relaxed into confidence, grew visibly firmer.