She choked down her tears as best she might, and started for the parsonage.
Thaddeus had almost to run to keep up with her, such was her troubled and impatient haste, and she scarcely noticed him, though he tramped through the mud to show his contrition, instead of taking his place by her side on the board walk.
It is curious to see how a simple soul inflicts useless punishment upon itself, when the person it has offended refuses to retaliate.

Had Alfaretta scolded, Thaddeus would not have walked in the mud.
Her silence was most depressing.
"Retta," he ventured timidly, "don't be mad with me,--now don't." He came a little nearer, and essayed to put an arm about her waist, a privilege often accorded him on such an occasion.

But now she flounced away from him and said sharply, "You needn't be comin' round me, Mr.
Thaddeus Green.

Anybody that thinks my Mrs.Ward isn't goin' to heaven had just better keep off from me, fer I'm goin' with her, wherever that is; and I suppose, if you think _that_ of me, you'd better not associate with me." "I didn't say _you_ was goin'," protested Thaddeus tearfully, but she interrupted him with asperity.
"Don't I tell you I'm bound to go where she goes?
And if you're so fearful of souls bein' lost, I wonder you don't put all your money in the missionary-box, instead of buying them new boots." Perhaps it was the thought of the new boots, but Thaddeus stepped on the board walk, and this time, unreproved, slipped his arm about Alfaretta's waist.
"Oh, now Retta," he said, "I didn't mean any harm.

I only didn't want the elder thinkin' I wasn't sound, for he'd be sayin' we shouldn't keep company, an' that's all I joined the church for last spring." "Well, then," said Alfaretta, willing to be reconciled if it brought any comfort, "you do think Mrs.Ward will go to heaven ?" "Yes," Thaddeus answered with great confidence, and added in a burst of gallantry, "She'll have to, Retta, if she goes along with you, for you'll go there sure!".