Clayton was left the focus of feminine eyes, whose
unwavering directness kept his own gaze on the floor. People
began to come in rapidly, most of whom he had never seen before.
The room was filled, save for a space about him. Every one gave
him a look of curiosity that made him feel like some strange
animal on exhibition. Once more he tried to escape to the porch,
and again he was met by Easter's father, who this time was
accompanied by Raines.
The young circuit-rider was smoothly shaven, and dressed in dark
clothes, and his calm face and simple but impressive manner
seemed at once to alter the atmosphere of the room. He grasped
Clayton's hand warmly, and without a trace of self-consciousness.
The room had grown instantly quiet, and Raines began to share the
curious interest that Clayton had caused; for the young
mountaineer's sermon had provoked discussion far and wide, and,
moreover, the peculiar relations of the two toward Easter were
known and rudely appreciated. Hicks was subdued into quiet
respect, and tried to conceal his incipient intoxication. The effort
did not last long. When the two fiddlers came, he led them in with
a defiant air, and placed them in the corner, bustling about
officiously but without looking at Raines, whose face began to
cloud.
Well, we're all hyar, I reckon! " he exclaimed, in his terrible voice.
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