The delight of the family to see their reverend teacher was heartfelt
and unreserved. A vigorous gripe of the hand, by the elder dragged
him into the house, and a sentence of unusual length, from his
better half, assured him of that welcome which the blunter action
of her venerable husband had already sufficiently declared. Nor
was the young adventurer who accompanied the preacher, suffered
to remain long unconsidered. When John Cross had told them who he
was, or rather when he had declared his spiritual hopes in him--which
he did with wonderful unction, in a breath--the reception of old
Hinkley, which had been hospitable enough before, became warm and
benignant; and Brother Stevens already became the word of salutation,
whenever the old people desired to distinguish their younger guest.
Brother Stevens, it may be said here, found no difficulty in
maintaining the character he had assumed. He had, in high degree,
the great art of the selfish man, and could, when his game required
it, subdue with little effort, those emotions and impulses, which
the frank and ardent spirit must speak out or die.
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