Hawkins asked Jonas if he'd seen
Mandy anywhere, and Tilly James's school chum, Eliza Allen, managed to
occupy two seats, so as to have one for Tilly when she came.
At exactly five minutes of ten, Professor Strout emerged from the rear
of the platform and proceeded towards the new organ. He, like the
ushers, was in a dress suit, with a white rose in the lapel of his coat.
He was greeted with applause and bowed his acknowledgements. He took his
seat at the organ and played a soft prelude, during which the Rev. Caleb
Howe entered and advanced to the altar.
Then loud cheers were heard from the assembled crowd outside. The organ
stopped and the sexton again filled the air with merry peals. The sight
outside was one which those inside could not see, and therefore could
not appreciate. What was that coming up the road? Mason's Corner had
never seen an equipage like that before. An open carriage, drawn by four
cream-colored horses, with white manes and tails and silver-tipped
harness. A coachman in livery sat upon the box, while a footman, in
similar livery, rode behind.
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