He let Mr. Balmy continue talking, glad that this gentleman required
little more than monosyllabic answers, and still more glad, in spite of
some agitation, to see that they were now nearing Sunch'ston, towards
which a great concourse of people was hurrying from Clearwater, and more
distant towns on the main road. Many whole families were coming,--the
fathers and mothers carrying the smaller children, and also their own
shoes and stockings, which they would put on when nearing the town. Most
of the pilgrims brought provisions with them. All wore European
costumes, but only a few of them wore it reversed, and these were almost
invariably of higher social status than the great body of the people, who
were mainly peasants.
When they reached the town, my father was relieved at finding that Mr.
Balmy had friends on whom he wished to call before going to the temple.
He asked my father to come with him, but my father said that he too had
friends, and would leave him for the present, while hoping to meet him
again later in the day. The two, therefore, shook hands with great
effusion, and went their several ways. My father's way took him first
into a confectioner's shop, where he bought a couple of Sunchild buns,
which he put into his pocket, and refreshed himself with a bottle of
Sunchild cordial and water.
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