Mr.
Smith responded to his look by rising and saying, still gazing fixedly upon the floor, "This ain't the way, Brother Ward, to consider this matter.

Your wisdom ain't enough, seein' that it has allowed things to get to this pass.

All we desire is to deal with Mrs.Ward for her own good.

Brother Dean speaks of the evil in the church,--ain't it our duty to check that?
It appears, sir, that, preacher of this church or not, you've allowed her sin of unbelief to remain unreproved, and the consequence is its spread in the church: that's what we're responsible for; that's our duty.

If you've neglected your duty, we ain't a-goin' to neglect ours." He wagged his head emphatically, and then sat down.
John Ward was too entirely without self-consciousness to feel the change in the tone of these men.