CHAPTER VII.

THE VICTORY.

"WELCOME home again!" said Mrs. Stewart, as I leaped from the coach. "How you have improved! I never expected to see you so well again. Bless you, dear!" and she embraced me with all the affection of the most loving of mothers. She had a long story to tell me of what had taken place during my absence. What grieved me most was the very frequent calls of Deacon Webber. It did not look right, but very suspicious. felt that it would result in no good, and Mrs. Stewart was also very much troubled.

I

Sister Jane now made her appearance, and seemed very glad to see me, and we greeted each other with true brotherly and sisterly love. I soon saw mother and the rest of the family, and shook hands with them all. The greeting was not very cordial, but it was as much so as could have been expected, under the circumstances.

I had been at home but a few days, when I received a message from my mother, commanding my immediate

presence.

I obeyed the summons, and found her and Deacon

I was

Webber sitting precisely as I last saw them. severely tempted to say something very insulting; but, on second thought, concluded that I had better not.

My mother asked me to be seated, and then the deacon arose very pompously, as though he was about to say something of great importance, looking all the time so very pious, the old wolf!

Young man," said he, "have you repented of your past transgressions?"

"Who put you in inquisitor general?" I asked. "None of your insolence, sir!" he replied. "If you do not humble yourself, and answer me respectfully, the greater will be your punishment."

This talk almost made me furious. "Deacon Webber," I said, no more of your hypocritical cant, and rascally nonsense! and as to your insulting questions, I will not answer one of them!"

He trembled and sprang towards me; and I caught up a chair, and stood on the defensive, ready to strike if he should but lay his hand upon me. It would have pleased me well, just then, to have hit the deacon, and hit him hard. I expected that he would attempt to take the chair from me, but he did not; and when I thought how young I was, I despised him for his cowardice.

"Put down that chair!" said my mother.

"I will," I replied, "when the deacon occupies a less threatening attitude.”

"Henri, your conduct is strange and unaccountable! Are you crazy?" she said, bursting into tears.

"I don't think I am crazy; but I am bound to defend myself!"

The deacon stood and surveyed me, as if he was somewhat uncertain whether I was a human being or something more. I fancied he thought me his evil genius. He really seemed to be afraid of me, and I was not sorry; for I knew well enough that he really ached to get hold of me, and manifest his good-will by giving me a few of his impressive arguments. But I had made up my mind that, if he offered to lay his hand upon me, he would find me very much inclined to defend myself. Though but a boy, he would have found me an earnest one, when thus roused. Just at that time, a blow upon the head, from the weapon I held in my hands, might have been rather serious. I know that I was rash; but I had the utmost abhorrence of the deacon. My hatred was bitter and intense; and, if he had touched me, even with the approval of my mother, every drop of blood in my veins. would have cried out revenge, and perchance not in vain.

In due time he became convinced that I was not disposed to yield the floor; so he sat down. I followed his example, casting upon him looks of hatred and contempt.

My mother seemed to tremble with passion and indignation at my conduct. But I thought she felt afraid of me, and that gave me renewed courage. I do not sup

pose that she wanted the deacon to do me any lasting injury; but she was particularly anxious that I should treat him with a great deal of deference, and be very humble, and answer his questions in a repentant spirit, and quietly acquiesce in the decision they had made concerning my great sins, which were so severely felt by the deacon. She had hoped that the previous interview, my subsequent sickness, and some manifestations of kindness, might have weakened and subdued me. But she found me more determined than ever; and this was extremely mortifying.

Taking my eyes from the deacon, I fixed them boldly upon her. "You have sent for me," said I, "giving me to understand that business of importance demanded my attention. If you have anything to say to me of an important nature, it is my duty to hear it, I suppose; but what has Deacon Webber to do about it?

If

"The crime was committed against him, and he should have some voice in relation to the punishment which you are to receive."

"Very convincing, truly! But I should think it necessary to prove that he has suffered wrong, before he inflicts punishment."

"He knows that."

"I don't believe it, for I know that he has suffered no wrong at my hands."

"Where is my horse, my wagon and my little servant?" said the deacon.

"I am not their keeper, deacon; so I cannot inform you," I replied.

"He has grievously suffered at your hands, Henri, and restitution should be made, as far as in your power," remarked my mother; "and your punishment should be in accordance with the deeds of wrong.'

"I have not wronged him at all; but he has wronged me, and so have you; and Helen Means was shamefully abused by you both!" /

"This is scandalous!" said the deacon.

"More than that," I replied; "it was outrageous

!

"I am surprised, Henri," said my mother, "that you should look and talk so strangely. Have you forgotten that you are but fifteen ?

"And I am surprised that you should look and talk so strangely.' No, mother, I have not forgotten that; and I remember something equally important."

"What is that?"

"That I shall be sixteen in a few weeks. But what has this to do with the important subject to which I am to listen?"

Nothing; only, when you talk to those who are so much older, you should be more respectful." "I am respectful, when they deserve it."