Annie knew from the light in the kitchen window that Mrs. Bolton, who had
not gone to the meeting, was there, and she inferred from the silence of
the house that Bolton had not yet come home. She went up to her room, and
after a glance at Idella asleep in her crib, she began to lay off her
things. Then she sat down provisionally by the open window, and looked out
into the still autumnal night. The air was soft and humid, with a scent of
smoke in it from remote forest fires. The village lights showed themselves
dimmed by the haze that thickened the moonless dark.
She heard steps on the gravel of the lane, and then two men talking, one
of whom she knew to be Bolton. In a little while the back entry door was
opened and shut, and after a brief murmur of voices in the library Mrs.
Bolton knocked on the door-jamb of the room where Annie sat.
"What is it, Mrs. Bolton?"
"You in bed yet?"
"No; I'm here by the window. What is it?"
"Well, I don't know but what you'll think it's pretty late for callers, but
Mr. Peck is down in the library. I guess he wants to speak with you about
Idella. I told him he better see _you_."
"I will come right down."
She followed Mrs. Bolton to the foot of the stairs, where she kept on to
the kitchen, while Annie turned into the library. Mr. Peck stood beside her
father's desk, resting one hand on it and holding his hat in the other.
"Won't you be seated, Mr. Peck?"
"I thank you. It's only for a moment. I am going away to-morrow, and I wish
to speak with you about Idella."
"Yes, certainly. But surely you are not going to leave Hatboro', Mr. Peck!
I hoped--we all did--that after what you had seen of the strong feeling in
your favour to-night you would reconsider your determination and stay with
us!" She went on impetuously. "You must know--you must understand now--how
much good you can do here--more than any one else--more than you could do
anywhere else. I don't believe that you realise how much depends upon your
staying here. You can't stop the dissensions by going away; it will only
make them worse. You saw how Colonel Marvin and Mr. Wilmington were with
you; and Mr. Gates--all classes. I oughtn't to speak--to attempt to teach
you your duty; I'm not of your church; and I can only tell you how it seems
to me: that you never can find another place where your principles--your
views--"