As the village is near the lake, the
swarms of mosquitoes allowed them no rest at night; and morning
again brought the crowd with its idle curiosity as unsatisfied as
the appetite of more diminutive assailants. About nine o'clock, all
went to the church, where Mr. Stocking preached, while the women sat
in most loving proximity to their strange sisters, handling and
commenting on their dresses during the discourse. Mr. Stocking could
preach though others talked, and readily raised his voice so as to
be heard above the rest. At the close, Priest Abraham, without
consulting any one, rose and announced two meetings for the
afternoon; one in another church for men, and a second in this for
women, who must all come, because the lady from the new world was to
preach. So the news flew through the neighboring villages. The good
lady called the priest to account for his doings; but he replied, "I
knew that they would come if I said that, and yon can preach very
well, for your girls told me so." He was greatly disappointed,
however, when he found that his notice left him alone to preach to
the men, while Mr.
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