Once, while saying that the preacher's wife was sowing tares among the wheat, he met with an astonishing rebuff.
Alfaretta dared tell her father that he ought to be ashamed of himself to talk that way about a saint and an angel, if ever there was one.
Mr.Dean was staggered; a female, a young female, and his daughter, to dare to say such a thing to him! He opened his mouth several times before he was able to speak.
Alfaretta was at home for her evening out, and her young man was with her, anxious for the clock to point to nine, that he might "see her home." They had intended to leave the elder's early, and wander off for a walk by the river, but prayers were delayed a little, and after that Alfaretta had to listen to the good advice given every week; so Thaddeus lost all hope of the river-walk, and only watched for nine o'clock, when he knew she must start.

But in this, too, he was doomed to disappointment, for the outburst which so stunned the elder detained Alfaretta until after ten, thereby causing Helen no little anxiety about her prompt and pretty maid.
The elder had closed his admonitions by warning his daughter not to be listening to any teachings of the preacher's wife, for she was a backslider, and she had fallen from grace.

"In the first place," said the elder, laying down the law with uplifted hand, "she's a Episcopalian,--I heard her say that herself, when she first come here; and her letter of dismissal was from a church with some Popish name,--St.
Robert or Stephen,--I don't just remember.

I've seen one of those churches.

Thank the Lord, there isn't one in Lockhaven.