`` Wo n't you decide to-night , Mollie ? '' she asked , in a voice tremulous with emotion . Mollie crimsoned and turned her face away uncomfortably . She did not know what answer to make , and was glad that a jingle of bells outside saved her the necessity of replying . `` There 's your beau , Miriam , '' she said , as she darted into the sitting room . Soon after , Eben brought the family pung and his chubby red mare to the door for Mollie . He had not as yet attained to the dignity of a cutter of his own . That was for his elder brother , Robert , who presently came out in his new fur coat and drove dashingly away with bells and glitter . `` Thinks he 's the people , '' remarked Eben , with a fraternal grin . 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 XXXXX hear Mr. Bentley say , ` Now , is n't there one more to say a word for Jesus ? '
If amid as from into on over that to under