To those conscious of having had a part in these doings, there was a
disagreeably vivid suggestion of the stocks and whipping post in the
Squire's haughty stare, against which even a sense of their numbers
failed to reassure them. Of course the revolt had gained far too great
headway to be now suppressed by anybody's personal prestige, by the
frowns and stares of any number of Squire Woodbridges, but,
nevertheless, the impression which even after the events of the last
week, he was still able to make upon the people, by his mere manner,
was striking testimony to their inveterate habit of awe toward him, as
the embodiment of secular authority in their midst.
Perez had been too long absent from home, and differed too much in
habits of thought, to fully understand the sentiments of the peasants
round him for the Squire, and in truth his attention was diverted from
that gentleman ere he had time to fully observe the effect of his
entrance. For he had scarcely reached his pew, when Squire and Deacon
Timothy Edwards came up the aisle, followed by his family. Desire wore
a blue silk skirt and close-fitting bodice, with a white lace kerchief
tucked in about her shoulders, and the same blue plumed hat of soft
Leghorn straw, in which we have seen her before, the wide brim falling
lower on one side than the other, over her dark curls.
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