The
eager group gave place, and something like the solemnity of an official
examination succeeded to the irregular and hurried interrogatories, which
had first broken on the dull intellect of the recovered wanderer.
The dependants took their stations, in a circle around the chair of the
Puritan, by whose side was placed Content, while Faith induced her brother
to be seated on the step of the piazza, in a manner that all might hear.
The attention of the brother, himself, was drawn from the formality of the
arrangement, by placing food in his hands.
"And now, Whittal, I would know," commenced the ready woman, when a
deep silence denoted the attention of the auditors, "I would know, if
thou rememberest the day I clad thee in garments of boughten cloth,
from over sea; and how fond thou wast of being seen among the kine in
colors so gay?"
The young man looked up in her face, as if the tones of her voice gave him
pleasure; but, instead of making any reply, he preferred to munch the
bread with which she had endeavored to lure him back to their ancient
confidence.
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