The sermon is over. The more demoralized among the little boys, whose
sleepy eyes have been more than once admonished by the hare's-foot wand
of the constables,--the sharp paw is used for the boys, the soft fur is
kept for the smooth foreheads of drowsy maidens,--look up thoroughly
awakened now. Bright eyes glance from beneath silk or tiffany hoods, for
a little interlude is coming. Many things may happen in this pause after
the sermon. Questions may be asked of the elders now, which the elders
may answer,--if they can. Some lay brother may "exercise" on a text of
Scripture,--rather severe exercise, it sometimes turns out. Candidates
for the church may be proposed. A baptism may take place. If it be the
proper month, the laws against profaning the Sabbath may be read. The
last town-regulations may be read; or, far more exciting, a new marriage
may be published. Or a darker scene may follow, and some offending
magistrate may be required to stand upon a bench, in his worst garments,
with a foul linen cap drawn close to his eyes, and acknowledge his sins
before the pious people, who reverenced him so lately.
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