Mark's face was set, his eyes were glaring. The minister felt that if
Harricutt had dared look up he would almost be afraid, now.
But after an instant's hesitation when it almost looked as if Mark were
struggling with desire to administer corporal punishment to the little
old bigot, he lifted his head defiantly and replied in hard tones as
before: "I was!"
"There!" said Elder Harricutt, wetting his lips and smiling fiendishly
around the group, "There! Didn't I tell you?"
"May I inquire," asked Mark startlingly, "What business of yours it
is?"
Harricutt bristled.
"What business? What business?" he repeated severely, "Why, this
business, young man. Your name is on our church roll as a member in
good and regular standing! For sometime past you have been dragging the
name of our Lord and Saviour in the dust of dishonor by your goings on.
It is our responsibility as elders of this church to see that this goes
on no longer."
"I see!" said Mark, "I haven't heard from any of the other elders on
the subject, but assuming that you are all of one mind--" he swept the
room with his glance, omitting the stricken faces of the minister and
Mr. Duncannon, "I will relieve you of further responsibility in the
matter by asking you to strike my name from the roll at once."
He was turning, his look of white still scorn fell upon them like fire
that scorches. Outside the door Billy, forgetful that he might be seen,
was peering in, his brows down in deep scawls, his lower jaw protruded,
his grimy fists clenched. A fraction of a second longer and Billy would
butt into the session like some mad young goat. Respect for the
session? Not he! They were bullying his idol, Cart, who had already
gone through death and still lived! They should see! Aw Gee!
But a diversion occurred just in the nick of time. It was Joyce, the
new member, the owner of the canneries, who had just built a new house
with electric appliances, and owned the best car in town. He was a
stickler for proprieties, but he was a great admirer of the minister,
and he had been watching Mr. Severn's face. Also, he had watched
Mark's.
"Now, now, now, young brother!" he said soothingly, rising in
his nice pleasant gentlemanly way, "don't be hasty! This can all be
adjusted I am sure if we fully understand one another. I am a
comparative stranger here I know, but I would suggest taking this thing
quietly and giving Mr. Carter a chance to explain himself. You must
own, Brother Carter, that we had some reason to be anxious. You know,
the Bible tells us to avoid even the appearance of evil."