That the widow was a fine woman
Abner had previously observed, but any natural feeling which this
observation might have excited had been kept in check by the
consciousness of a long unsettled score. The woman was merged in the
landlady, the sex in the creditor. Seeing that there is no more
ecstatic experience known to the soul than the melting of awe into a
tenderer sentiment, it will not be wondered at that Abner lingered
over his twofold inebriation till at nine o'clock the widow said that
she must really shut up the tavern.
His surprise was great on passing the store to see it still lit up,
and a crowd of men inside, while from the apartments occupied by the
Edwards family came the tinkling of Desire's piano. Going in, he found
the store filled with drunken men, and the back room crowded with
drinkers, whom young Jonathan Edwards was serving with liquor, while
the Squire was walking about with a worn and anxious face, seeing that
there was no stealing of his goods. As he saw Abner he said, making a
pitiable attempt to affect a little dignity:
"I've been treating the men to a little liquor, but it's rather late,
and I should like to get them out. You have some control over them, I
believe.
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