In consequence of this, when market days came round, there was quite an important air about the four young ladies who drove towards the market-house, and there seemed to be a good deal of fun as well as business going on, if one might judge by their eager, happy faces, and the way the task was often unnecessarily prolonged.

One evening, when a party of young people were visiting at Mrs. Fremont’s, a remark was made that brought about a discussion of a sect which are known in Prince Edward Island as McDonaldites or “Jerkers;” and after a description of the remarkable character of their meetings, there was much curiosity raised concerning them.

“You ought not to go home without attending a meeting, Mr. Gurney,” said Mr. Holbrook, “for I do not think the like is to be seen anywhere else in the world.  One visit is generally enough to satisfy most people, but to those who have good nerves one visit only whets the curiosity.  For my part, I like to go and watch them whenever I find the opportunity.”

“Well, I went once,” said Gertrude Fremont, “and that was quite enough for me, and I do not call myself nervous or timid either.  Still I would not have missed seeing them once for anything, but that experience is enough to last me a lifetime.”

“I used to think that the people exaggerated when talking about the actions of the Jerkers,” said Beatrice, “but I had to believe my own eyesight; it certainly is a very strange thing.”

“I wonder if it is anything like what the slaves down South used to be affected with,” said Dexie.  “I have heard my grandma tell of prayer meetings in the negro quarters, where some of the slaves would act in the same way you describe, but I suppose it is not the same thing except in name.  I should like very much to attend a meeting.”

After much persuasion, Mrs. Fremont consented to allow the young people under her charge to attend a meeting of this peculiar sect, under the escort of Mr. Holbrook, but the consent was given reluctantly.

“I quite understand the curiosity you have to witness such a mode of worship,” she said, smiling kindly at Dexie, “but I fear the result for Elsie.  I am afraid it would quite unnerve her.”

“But if she is the least frightened she need not stay in the church to watch them,” said Lancy, who was eager to visit a McDonaldite church.  “It must be a wonderful sight indeed, if the people go through such contortions as Mr. Holbrook speaks of.”

A few days later the little party drove off in the comfortable covered carriage on a visit to Uigg.  As they crossed the river to Southport they found several other carriages going in the same direction, so they followed on, journeying by the beautiful Vernon River road towards their destination.

There was but one thing that marred the enjoyment of the drive to Elsie, and that was that the day was Sunday; but her conscientious scruples were overpowered by those who voted that it was “no harm, surely, to drive to church on Sunday.”