He was far more angry than he showed, for policy had laid a soft hand of reminder on his shoulder.

"Our sister, Mrs.Halsey, is not--" he coughed slightly, and sought by prophetical phrases to explain that Susannah was not upon the level of Darling and his kind--"is not, as it would be said in the Scriptures, among those who deck themselves with crisping pins or are busybodies, but she is as that lady to whom John wrote (and the letter is preserved unto the edification of the Church unto this day); for it was revealed unto me in the beginning that she was the elect sister, and to sit as one who judges--as one who judges Israel." He was just going to add in the flow of his phrases "upon twelve thrones," but the words died because even he perceived the lack of sense.
Darling grew testy.

"Waal, I dunno, but it seems to me that if she'd gone off by now to be Mrs.Ephraim Croom somewheres in the East there wouldn't be much more elect sister about her." "The gentleman whose name you have just been mentioning, Mr.Darling, is the lady's uncle.

I was reared alongside them, and I know." He knew that he fibbed between uncle and cousin, but the slip was so slight and the end so worthy--to silence Darling.
"'Twas no uncle that she wrote that 'ere letter to," said Darling hotly.
He stuck out his legs and leant back in his chair, the picture of offence.
"You are mistaken concerning the meaning of the letter, Brother Darling, and it appears to me that in casting your eyes upon it you have gone beyond what is written concerning the duty of an elder; but as to your duty in destroying it--considering that our sister asked for money, which it is our duty and privilege to supply--But I promised Emmar to be back soon.

I will consult the Lord, Brother Darling, and have a word with you in the morning." Smith tramped with dignity over the long wooden floor of the darkened shed and let himself out with decisive clatter of the latch.
To his right lay the wooden town with twinkling lights, to his left the black prairie, and above the crystal vast a moonless night, so clear that the upward glance almost saw the perspective between nearer and farther stars innumerable.
This man was at all times possessed with the sense of otherness, sense of a presence around and above.