Mr.
Greenhithe, therefore, had but little comfort in studying
Horace's face.
Just as the Creed was finished, when the rest of the
church was still, the sexton led up the aisle a grim-
looking man, with a shaggy coat and a very dirty face,
and brought him close to the door of Mr. Molyneux's pew--
as if he would fain bring him in. Mr. Molyneux was at
the end of the pew, but happened to be turning away from
the aisle, and the sexton actually touched him. He
turned round and looked at the stranger,--evidently did
not know him,--but with the instinct of hospitality,
stepped into the aisle and offered him his seat. The
stranger was embarrassed; hesitated as if he would speak,
then shook his head in refusal of the attention, and
crossing the aisle, took a seat offered him there, in
full sight of Mr. Molyneux, and, indeed, of Matty.
Poor girl! The trifle--of course it was a trifle--
upset her sadly.
Was the man a marshal or a sheriff? Would they
really arrest her father on Christmas Day, in church?
CHAPTER IV
IS THIS CHRISTMAS?
Yes; it was, as you have said, a very curious Christmas
service for all those people.
What Horace turned his mind to, at intervals, has
been told.
Of the elder members of our little company who sat
there near the head of the side aisle, it may be said, in
general, that they did their best to keep their hearts
and minds engaged in the service, and that sometimes they
succeeded.
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