“It is never done in such cases,” said Susannah.  “I remember when my father—­” She had not the faith that Smith required of her.

Without a frown, with perfect gentleness, Smith fetched the water and, lifting the sick man’s head, allowed him to drink eagerly.  Halsey was obviously comforted.

Smith had something else to say.  If he had not been who he was Susannah might have perceived that he was somewhat perplexed, even embarrassed.  Just as a child does not easily attribute to the adult such hindering emotions, so she supposed him to be upon a plane above them.

He lingered by the bedside, apparently watching the sufferer.  At length he said, “You set out with this young man—­yesterday morning?”

“Yes, very early.”

There was another pause, then he said, “Did you go before a justice of the peace?”

“A justice of the peace?” Then she added inconsequently, “My uncle is a justice of the peace.”  She had never heard of a civil marriage; she did not know in the least what he meant.

“Or—­or a minister?”

She began to understand now.

“I married you myself, sister, and it was sealed in heaven, but I haven’t got a license to marry, so that the Gentiles would say—­that the knot wasn’t tied, ye know.”  The last words were a lapse into common parlance.  She had grown accustomed to the hybrid nature of his mannerism.

He had expected and feared to see her white face flame into excitement, but to Susannah it seemed a small thing now what the Gentiles might say.  If the marriage was indeed sealed in heaven, then all was well.  And if it was not, worse could not be.  She was too weary now to respond to the prophet’s worldly solicitude for her.  Looking at the still unconscious Halsey, she felt that there was time enough for further action.

Smith said, “Emma would have come, but the child has spasms.”

“We meant to go to you,” said Susannah.  “We lost our way.  I only heard to-day where you were.”

After a while he said, “I might stop here with our sick brother and send you to Emma, but there is a congregation called for to-night.  Mr. Cowdery would have come, but he was at the baptising.”

“Did you leave the baptising just to come and see us?” It occurred to her that from his point of view two stray disciples such as herself and Halsey could be of little importance compared with his appearance at the solemn function.

Smith busied himself giving Halsey more water.  That done, he went away without further words.  Susannah heard his horse gallop from the door.  She knew that he had travelled some five miles to pay this visit, and she supposed that he desired to return if possible before the converts had come up from the water.  His visit had undoubtedly brought her comfort.  His response to her message had been prompt and kind.  She knew now that his thoughts and Emma’s were busy concerning her.  And then, too, the sick man was better.  He had gone quietly to sleep.