The rich winter twilight was purpling over the white world as they drove down the lane under the over-arching wild cherry trees that glittered with gemmy hoar-frost . The snow creaked and crisped under the runners . A shrill wind was keening in the leafless dogwoods . Over the trees the sky was a dome of silver , with a lucent star or two on the slope of the west . Earth-stars gleamed warmly out here and there , where homesteads were tucked snugly away in their orchards or groves of birch . `` The church will be jammed to-night , '' said Eben . `` It 's so fine that folks will come from near and far . Guess it 'll be exciting . '' `` If only father would testify ! '' sighed Mollie , from the bottom of the pung , where she was snuggled amid furs and straw . `` Miriam can say what she likes , but I do feels as if we were all disgraced . It sends a creep all over me to hear Mr. Bentley say , ` Now , is n't there one more to say a word for Jesus ? ' and look right over at father . '' Eben flicked his mare with his whip , and she broke into a trot . The silence was filled with a faint , fairy-like melody from afar down the road where a pungful of young folks from White Sands were singing hymns on their way to meeting . `` Look here , Mollie , '' said Eben awkwardly at last , `` are you going to stand up for prayers to-night ? '' `` I -- I ca n't as long as father acts this way , '' answered Mollie , in a choked voice . `` I -- I want to , Eb , and Mirry and Bob want me to , but I ca n't . I do hope that the evangelist wo n't come and talk to me special to-night . I always feels as if I was being pulled two different ways , when he does . ''
Back in the kitchen XXXXX home Mrs. Bell was waiting for her husband to bring the horse to the door .
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