Poor Hannah! Poor, gentle-hearted, pure-spirited old maid! She sat there
in a remote corner pew, hiding her child under her shawl and hushing him
with gentle caresses during the whole of the afternoon service. And when
after the last lesson had been read the minister came down to the font
and said: "Any persons present having children to offer for baptism will
now bring them forward," Hannah felt as if she would faint. But
summoning all her resolution, she arose and came out of her pew,
carrying the child. Every eye in the church turned full upon her. There
was no harm meant in this; people will gaze at every such a little
spectacle; a baby going to be baptized, if nothing else is to be had.
But to Hannah's humbled spirit and sinking heart, to carry that child up
that aisle under the fire of those eyes seemed like running a blockade
of righteous indignation that appeared to surround the altar. But she
did it. With downcast looks and hesitating steps she approached and
stood at the font--alone--the target of every pair of eyes in the
congregation. Only a moment she stood thus, when a countryman, with a
start, left one of the side benches and came and stood by her side.
It was Reuben Gray, who, standing by her, whispered: "Hannah, woman, why didn't you let me know? I would have come and sat in
the pew with you and carried the child."
"Oh, Reuben, why will you mix yourself up with me and my miseries?"
sighed Hannah.
"'Cause we are one, my dear woman, and so I can't help it," murmured the
man.
There was no time for more words. The minister began the services.
Reuben Gray offered himself as sponsor with Hannah, who had no right to
refuse this sort of copartnership.
The child was christened Ishmael Worth, thus receiving both given and
surname at the altar.
When the afternoon worship was concluded and they left the church,
Reuben Gray walked beside Hannah, begging for the privilege of carrying
the child--a privilege Hannah grimly refused.
Reuben, undismayed, walked by her side all the way from Baymouth church
to the hut on the hill, a distance of three miles. And taking advantage
of that long walk, he pleaded with Hannah to reconsider her refusal and
to become his wife.
"After a bit, we can go away and take the boy with us and bring him up
as our'n. And nobody need to know any better," he pleaded.
But this also Hannah grimly refused.
When they reached the hut she turned upon him and said: "Reuben Gray, I will bear my miseries and reproaches myself! I will bear
them alone! Your duty is to your sisters. Go to them and forget me." And
so saying she actually shut the door in his face!