But the trial must be made, and so she filled her kettle as full as requisite of a particular kind, and hung it over a slow fire.

This had hardly been done, when Hannah came in and said-- "As I live, Mrs.Pierce, there is the minister coming up the walk!" And sure enough, on glancing out, she saw the minister almost at the door-step.
"Bless me!" she exclaimed, and then hurried into her little parlour, to await the knock of her unexpected visitor.

At almost any other time, a call from the minister would have been delightful.

But now, poor Aunt Mary felt that she would as soon have seen any one else.
The knock came in a moment, and, after a pause, the door was opened.
"How do you do, Aunt Mary?
I am very glad to see you," said the minister, extending his hand.
Aunt Mary looked troubled and confused; but she received him in the best way she could.

Still her manner embarrassed them both.