But the aisles were blocked; they seemed
standing in a vice, with no power to move front or backwards. The
_enthusiasm_ seemed increasing every moment, and as almost every seat held
an active member, the excitement in the church was appalling.
One young girl, quite near where Dexie stood, sprang to her feet with a
shriek that caused Elsie to scream with fright, and Dexie bade her hide her
face from the sight. But Elsie felt she must watch what was going on or
else scream again, so great was her terror. The sight was indeed alarming,
for the girl beat the air with her hands while she jumped up and down,
until her movements appeared actually dangerous to those near her. Her head
was thrown backward and forward with such violence and rapidity that it
seemed a marvel how she escaped dislocation, and her whole body was in
violent motion. At last she fell to the floor with a final shriek, where
she struggled about for several minutes, much to the alarm of those in her
immediate vicinity.
On all sides shrieks and cries mingled with the quick movements of those
who had the "jerks," and Elsie could bear it no longer.
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