“Over the river, on the hill,
    Another village lieth still,”

quoted Marion, gravely.  Then: 

“I say, Flossy, what does it all mean?  Are we among a party of witches, do you suppose?  Where could those congenial spirits so suddenly have conveyed themselves away, I wonder?  The road isn’t broad, but it most decidedly isn’t straight.  Only behold that long, long, long array of damp and empty seats!  Where are the faithful now, do you suppose?”

“There isn’t any meeting here to-night, and we might have known there wouldn’t be,” Flossy said, peevishly, beginning to grow not only disenchanted but half frightened.  “I was never in such a queer place in my life!  Those white seats all look like ghosts.  What could have possessed you to come to-night?  Of course they wouldn’t have meeting in the rain!  Marion, do let us go back; I am frightened out of my wits!”

“You blessed little simpleton!” said Marion, gaily.  “What on earth is there to be frightened over?  Not pine seats and lamplight, surely, and there is nothing more formidable than that so far.”

“I wish with all my heart that I were safely back in the hotel, where I would have been if you had not coaxed me away,” sighed, or rather whined, poor Flossy, shivering with chilliness or nervousness, and added:  “Come, Marion, do let us go back with that boat.  It can’t have started yet.”

Marion grasped her hand firmly, and spoke like a commander: 

“Flossy Shipley, don’t you go to getting nervous and acting like a simpleton, for I won’t have it.  As for that boat, it is half way to Mayville by this time, and I am glad of it.  Do you suppose I am going to make an ignominious retreat now, when we have got so far advanced?  Not a bit of it.  If there is no meeting, we will go where there ought to be one, since it was advertised, and not a word said about rain.  It isn’t likely they stay out-doors when it actually pours.  Very likely they go in somewhere and have a prayer-meeting.  So now compose your nerves and walk fast, for if the spot is within walking distance I am going to find it.  I tell you I am to get ten dollars at least for writing up this meeting, and I am going to write it if there is one to write about.  If there isn’t I shall have to make up one.  I dare say I could make it interesting.  I’ll put you in if I do, and you shall be Mrs. Fearful—­in Pilgrim’s Progress, you know—­if you don’t stop shivering and walk faster.”

During this time they had really been making as rapid progress as the up-hill way and their doubt of the road would allow.  Flossy made no reply to this harangue, for the reason that a sudden turn in the path brought them into bright light and the sound of a ringing voice.