The rules that govern
the Shaker Community are very strict, but in reality the true Believer never
thinks of them as rules, nor is trammeled by them. They are fixed habits of
the blood, as common, as natural, as sitting or standing, eating or drinking.
No Brother is allowed to hold any lengthy interview with a Sister, nor to
work, walk, or drive with her alone; but these protective customs, which all
are bound in honor to keep, are too much a matter of everyday life to be
strange or irksome.
"I must speak to you, Hetty," whispered Nathan. "I cannot bear it any longer
alone. What shall we do?"
"Do?" echoed Hetty, trembling.
"Yes, _do_." There was no pretense of asking her if she loved or suffered, or
lived in torture and suspense. They had not uttered a word to each other, but
their eyes had "shed meanings."
"You know we can't go on like this," he continued rapidly. "We can't eat their
food, stay alongside of them, pray their prayers and act a lie all the time,
we can't!"
"Nay, we can't!" said Hetty. "Oh, Nathan, shall we confess all and see if they
will help us to resist temptation? I know that's what Susanna would want me to
do, but oh! I should dread it.
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