Thanks, as elegancies of social intercourse, were alarming, and savored of affectation, to him.

He had thanked the Lord, from his heart, for all his known and unknown gifts, but his gratitude towards his fellow-men had never overcome his bashful self-consciousness and found voice.
Often in prayer-meeting Jerome had heard this man's fervent outpouring of the religious faith which seemed the only intelligence of his soul, and, like all single and concentrated powers, had a certain force of persuasion.

Jerome eyed him now with a kind of pious admiration and respect, and yet with recollections.
"If I were a man, I'd stop colorin' up and actin' scared," thought the boy; and then they both heard a door open and shut, and knew the doctor was coming.
Jerome's heart beat hard, yet he looked quite boldly at the door.
Somehow the young farmer's clumsy embarrassment had roused his own pride and courage.

When the doctor entered, he stood up with alacrity and made his manners, and the young farmer settled to another foot, with a hoarse note of greeting.
The doctor said good-day, with formal courtesy, with his fine, keen face turned seemingly upon both of them impartially; then he addressed the young man.
"How is your wife to-day ?" he inquired.
The young man turned purple, where he had been red, at this direct address.

"She's pretty--comfortable," he stammered.
"Is she out of medicine ?" "Yes, sir.