If they won't marry us tonight, I'll
leave you in some safe home and we 'll walk to Portland tomorrow. I'm young
and strong, and I know I can earn our living somehow."
"But we have n't the price of a lodging or a breakfast between us," Hetty said
tearfully. "Would it be sinful to take some of my basketwork and send back the
money next week?"
"Yee, it would be so," Nathan answered sternly. "The least we can do is to go
away as empty-handed as we came. I can work for our breakfast."
"Oh, I can't bear to disappoint Eldress Abby," cried Hetty, breaking anew into
tears. "She'll say we've run away to live on the lower plane after agreeing to
crucify Nature and follow the angelic life!"
"I know; but there are five hundred people in Albion all living in marriage,
and we shan't be the only sinners!" Nathan argued. "Oh, Sister Hetty, dear
Hetty, keep up your spirits and trust to me!"
Nathan's hand stole out and met Hetty's in its warm clasp, the first hand
touch that the two ignorant young creatures had ever felt. Nathan's knowledge
of life had been a journey to the Canterbury Shakers in New Hampshire with
Brother Issachar; Hetty's was limited to a few drives into Albion village, and
half a dozen chats with the world's people who came to the Settlement to buy
basketwork.
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