When David and Mary Bell reached the church the services had begun , and they heard the refrain of a hallelujah hymn as they were crossing Harmon Andrews ' field . David Bell left his wife at the platform and drove to the horse-shed . Mrs. Bell unwound the scarf from her bonnet and shook the frost crystals from it . In the porch Flora Jane Fletcher and her sister , Mrs. Harmon Andrews , were talking in low whispers . Presently Flora Jane put out her lank , cashmere-gloved hand and plucked Mrs. Bell 's shawl . `` Mary , is the elder going to testify to-night ? '' she asked , in a shrill whisper . Mrs. Bell winced . She would have given much to be able to answer `` Yes , '' but she had to say stiffly , `` I do n't know . '' Flora Jane lifted her chin . `` Well , Mrs. Bell , I only asked because every one thinks it is strange he does n't -- and an elder , of all people . It looks as if he did n't think himself a Christian , you know . Of course , we all know better , but it LOOKS that way . If I was you , I 'd tell him folks was talking about it . Mr. Bentley says it is hindering the full success of the meetings . '' Mrs. Bell turned on her tormentor in swift anger . She might resent her husband 's strange behavior herself , but nobody else should dare to criticize him to her . `` I do n't think you need to worry yourself about the elder , Flora Jane , '' she said bitingly . `` Maybe 't is n't the best Christians that do the most talking about it always . I guess , as far as living up to his profession goes , the elder will compare pretty favorably with Levi Boulter , who gets up and testifies every night , and cheats the very eye-teeth out of people in the daytime . ''
Levi Boulter was a middle-aged widower , with a large family , who was supposed XXXXX have cast a matrimonial eye Flora Janeward .
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