The visitors gave one more glance, as if to see whether Jude and
Sue had left the "nots" out likewise, and then severally left the
church, even the old woman at last. Sue and Jude, who had not
stopped working, sent back the child to school, and remained without
speaking; till, looking at her narrowly, he found she had been crying
silently.
"Never mind, comrade!" he said. "I know what it is!"
"I can't BEAR that they, and everybody, should think people wicked
because they may have chosen to live their own way! It is really
these opinions that make the best intentioned people reckless, and
actually become immoral!"
"Never be cast down! It was only a funny story."
"Ah, but we suggested it! I am afraid I have done you mischief,
Jude, instead of helping you by coming!"
To have suggested such a story was certainly not very exhilarating,
in a serious view of their position. However, in a few minutes Sue
seemed to see that their position this morning had a ludicrous side,
and wiping her eyes she laughed.
"It is droll, after all," she said, "that we two, of all people,
with our queer history, should happen to be here painting the
Ten Commandments! You a reprobate, and I--in my condition... O
dear!" ... And with her hand over her eyes she laughed again
silently and intermittently, till she was quite weak.
"That's better," said Jude gaily. "Now we are right again, aren't
we, little girl!"
"Oh but it is serious, all the same!" she sighed as she took up the
brush and righted herself. "But do you see they don't think we are
married? They WON'T believe it! It is extraordinary!"
"I don't care whether they think so or not," said Jude. "I shan't
take any more trouble to make them."
They sat down to lunch--which they had brought with them not to
hinder time--and having eaten it were about to set to work anew when
a man entered the church, and Jude recognized in him the contractor
Willis. He beckoned to Jude, and spoke to him apart.
"Here--I've just had a complaint about this," he said, with rather
breathless awkwardness. "I don't wish to go into the matter--as of
course I didn't know what was going on--but I am afraid I must ask
you and her to leave off, and let somebody else finish this! It is
best, to avoid all unpleasantness. I'll pay you for the week, all
the same."