The two girls were on their feet in an instant, feeling for one awful moment that they were taking the “jerks” themselves; but finding the floor steady under her feet, Dexie soon regained her composure, and endeavored to quiet Elsie, who was now sobbing without restraint.

Out of this they must get at any hazard, and, drawing Elsie after her, she crossed to the door by stepping on the knees of the people who intervened, giving no thought to the outraged feelings of those she had used as stepping-stones to freedom.

As they reached the doorstep, they saw Mr. Holbrook at a distance, and were soon at his side.

“How soon can we get away from this awful place?” Dexie hurriedly asked.

“Well, I do not know, Miss Sherwood.  Are you in a hurry to go?”

“Yes, that I am; I have had enough of this kind of worship, and Elsie must not go near the church again.  Where is Lancy?”

“I believe he is inside the church; I saw him there a short time ago.  He is much interested, I believe.  I hope, Miss Gurney, that these excitable people have not seriously alarmed you.”

“Oh, I don’t want to see them any more!” cried Elsie.  “I wish we could find Lancy, so we could start for Charlottetown.”

“Do you know, I believe he wants you to stay overnight at some place near, so that he can stay to the evening service.  Could you agree to that plan, do you think?” he asked.

“Certainly; if the place we have to stay is a good piece away from this church, out of sight and hearing of these people,” replied Dexie, feeling that a drive back to town would be very tiresome after the exciting day they had spent.

“Well, suppose we start now?  The drive will do you good,” said Mr. Holbrook, as he turned towards their carriage; and as he led the horse on the road, he proposed that they start for Montague Bridge at once, describing it as a pretty hamlet about two miles from the church.

“But if Lancy should come and find the carriage gone, he would be anxious,” said Dexie.

“Oh!  I’ll pin a note to the tree, so if he comes here it will explain our absence; but I will be back before the service is ended; and I fancy he will not leave the church till then.  You are quite sure you have no objections to leaving him behind you, Miss Gurney?” he asked.

“Oh, no!  But are you quite sure you can get us a nice place to stay?  I suppose you know the place around here very well,” she added.

“Yes, indeed; I have spent my life on the Island, Miss Gurney, and I know my fellow Islanders pretty well.  I will leave you quite comfortable, never fear.”

They were soon driving along at a rapid pace, and Dexie hoped that the scene in the church had passed from Elsie’s mind, till her question to Mr. Holbrook proved the contrary.  “Do tell us, Mr. Holbrook, what is it makes those people act so?  Is it the talk of the minister that does it?  I’m sure I could only hear a word now and then, though his lips kept moving even when the noise was the worst.”