She saw his quietness even while, it seemed to her, the gun still echoed, and it was Ephraim who held the gun! Beside Ephraim her aunt stood, like one in a frenzy, her very garments twitching and her gray hair fallen loose.

None of them looked to see the girl within the shaded room.
"Friends," said Halsey, "I came to say 'Peace be with this house,' and to speak with her to whom God has given the spirit of obedience to his truth, but it is written that when any house refuses to receive us we must depart." His voice was for some cause growing fainter, but Susannah was certain that the cause was not fear.
He took a letter from his breast.

"I wrote it," he said, "in case I might not enter to speak with her." He gave the letter to Ephraim, who took it reluctantly, as one impelled by some strong sense of right.
Halsey went out.

He tottered upon the path, but he opened the gate and walked on.

Ephraim, still holding the gun and the letter, turned and saw Susannah.
Ephraim's face was gaunt and haggard as she had never seen it before; his eyes were large, and she thought she read unutterable distress in them, but could not understand.