"But of course you are going to sign the petition," said Mrs. Staggs. "Everybody agrees that you must, before court meets. And that reminds me, I met Henry Bostic's mother today. The old lady doesn't appear to be at all grieved over the part her son took in the affair. It would nearly kill me if a son of mine had made such a blunder." "It was no blunder on his part, and I don't blame him," said Annie. "No one thought enough of his pretensions to ask him if he had been ordained. And besides, Cousin McElwin had made fun of him." "And a preacher can stand anything rather than ridicule," Lyman declared. "He may forgive all sorts of abuses, but cry 'Go up, old bald head!' and immediately he calls for the she-bears." "And gives thanks when he hears the bears breaking the bones of his enemies," said the old man. "I don't blame him," replied Lyman. "Ridicule is the bite of the spider, and it ought not to be directed against the man who dedicates his life to sacred work." The old woman gave him a nod of approval: "You are right," she said. "But young Henry ought not to have been revengeful." "No, not as the ordinary man is revengeful," Lyman assented, "but we serve the Lord when we humble a foolish pride. I don't think McElwin could have done a crueler thing than to have crushed the mother's heart with ridicule for the son." "But about the petition," said Annie. "You will sign it, won't you?" "I may." "But why should you refuse. To annoy her?" "No, to protect her." "She would be awfully angry if she thought you presumed to pose as her protector. But let us change the subject. The whole town is talking about it, so let us talk of something else. Are you going to church tonight?" "Yes, with you, if you don't object." "Oh, I couldn't object, but--but don't you think it might cause remark, after what has happened?" "There you go, leading back to it. Sawyer walked home with her; did that cause remark?" "Yes, in a way; and I believe she will wait for the divorce before she goes with him again." "Then she will be free of his company for some time to come. Well," he added, "I won't go to church. I'll go up stairs and read myself to sleep." CHAPTER XI. IN THE LANTERN LIGHT.