Mr.Ellery laughed, changed the subject, and wandered out into the garden, where Keziah saw him, shortly afterwards, intently regarding nothing in particular with a rapt stare.
She watched him for a few moments and then, with a puzzled shake of the head, returned to her work.

She believed that he was troubled about something and was herself troubled in consequence.
His absent-mindedness was most acute on Sunday evenings, before prayer meeting, and after he had returned from the afternoon at Captain Elkanah's.
"Say, Mr.Ellery," she said, on one of these Sunday evenings, "do you know, it seems to me that Elkanah's meals must go to your head.

Don't have any of his granddad's New England rum, do you?
They tell me he's got some of that down cellar that he doles out occasional to his very particular friends.

That's the common yarn around town, though I couldn't swear 'twas gospel." The minister smiled and denied acquaintanceship with the New England beverage.
"Humph! Then it must be the other thing.

You ain't in love, are you ?" The young man started, colored, and was plainly embarrassed.
"In love ?" he repeated.