If the Donnelly family had not been accustomed,
in former days, to sit at the same table with laborers in
shirt-sleeves, and be addressed by the latter in fraternal phrase,
no little awkwardnesses or hesitations betrayed the fact. They
were anxious to make their naturalization complete, and it soon
became so.
The "strange Friend" was now known in Londongrove by the familiar
name of "Henry." He was a constant attendant at meeting, not only
on First-days, but also on Fourth-days, and whenever he spoke his
words were listened to with the reverence due to one who was truly
led towards the Light. This respect kept at bay the curiosity that
might still have lingered in some minds concerning his antecedent
life. It was known that he answered Simon Pennock, who had
ventured to approach him with a direct question, in these words:
"Thee knows, Friend Simon, that sometimes a seal is put upon our
mouths for a wise purpose. I have learned not to value the outer
life except in so far as it is made the manifestation of the inner
life, and I only date my own from the time when I was brought to a
knowledge of the truth.
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