"Yes, Mr. Nilsson saved his life," she answered slowly, with
girlish dignity, a backward rush filling her heart as she
remembered Carl staggering out of the burning stable, Patsy held
close to his breast.
"The fellers in Rockville say ye think it was set afire. I see
Justice Rowan turned Billy McGaw loose. Do ye suspect anybody
else? Some says a tramp crawled in and upset his pipe."
This lie was coined on the spot and issued immediately to see if
it would pass.
"Mother says she knows who did it, and it'll all come out in time.
Cully found the can this morning," said Jennie, leaning against
the table.
Quigg's jaw fell and his brow knit as Jennie spoke. That was just
like the fool, he said to himself. Why didn't he get the stuff in
a bottle and then break it?
But the subject was too dangerous to linger over, so he began
talking of the dance down at the Town Hall, and the meeting last
Sunday after church. He asked her if she would go with him to the
"sociable" they were going to have at No. 4 Truck-house; and when
she said she couldn't,--that her mother didn't want her to go out,
etc.,--Quigg moved his chair closer, with the remark that the old
woman was always putting her oar in and spoiling things; the way
she was going on with the Union would ruin her; she'd better join
in with the boys, and be friendly; they'd "down her yet if she
didn't.
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