Westerfelt was numb all over. Had she accepted Bates? He tried to
read their faces, but even the open countenance of Bates revealed
nothing.
"Come on, you ninnies!" Jennie cried out. "What on earth are you
waiting for?"
Her voice jarred on Westerfelt. "Hush! for God's sake, hush!" he
commanded, sharply. "Let's go on--they don't want us!"
Wondering over his vehemence, Jennie rose quickly and followed him. He
walked rapidly. She glanced over her shoulder at Harriet and Bates,
but Westerfelt did not look back. When the shed was reached, Jennie
asked him if he were going in with her, but he shook his head, and she
entered alone. He remained in the crowd on the outside, pretending to
be listening to the sermon, but was furtively watching the spot where,
concealed by the trees, Bates and Harriet still lingered.
The preacher ended his discourse, started a hymn, and commenced to
"call up mourners." Old Mrs. Henshaw began to pray aloud and clap her
hands. The preacher came down from the platform, gave his hand to her,
and she rose and began to shout.
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