He sat in the chimney-corner and whistled "Dandy Jim from Caroline." His diversion had produced the effect he sought: for while his tender-hearted mother poured her broadside into his iron-clad feelings, Hannah had slipped up the stairs to her garret bedroom, and when Mrs.Means turned from the callous Bud to finish her assault upon the sensitive girl, she could only gnash her teeth in disappointment.
Stung by the insults to which she could not grow insensible, Hannah lay awake until the memory of that walk through the darkness came into her soul like a benediction.

The harsh voice of the scold died out, and the gentle and courteous voice of Hartsook filled her soul.

She recalled piece by piece the whole conversation--all the commonplace remarks about the weather; all the insignificant remarks about the crops; all the unimportant words about the spelling-school.

Not for the sake of the remarks.

Not for the sake of the weather.