I've been hurted before, but not so bad as this. I wouldn't
have troubled ye, but Mr. Crane has gone West. It was kind and
friendly o' ye to come; I knew ye would."
Babcock nodded to Pop, and sank into a chair. The shock of her
appearance had completely unnerved him.
"Jennie has told me about it," he said in a tender, sympathetic
tone. "Who was mean enough to serve you in this way, Tom?" He
called her Tom now, as the others did.
"Well, I won't say now. It may have been the horse, but I hardly
think it, for I saw a face. All I remember clear is a-layin' me
hand on the mare's back. When I come to I was flat on the lounge.
They had fixed me up, and Dr. Mason had gone off. Only the thick
hood saved me. Carl and Cully searched the place, but nothin'
could be found. Cully says he heard somebody a-runnin' on the
other side of the fence, but ye can't tell. Nobody keeps their
heads in times like that."
"Have you been in bed ever since?" Babcock asked.
"In bed! God rest ye! I was down to the board meetin' two hours
after, wid Mr. Crane, and signed the contract. Jennie and all of
'em wouldn't have it, and cried and went on, but I braved 'em all.
I knew I had to go if I died for it. Mr. Crane had his buggy, so
I didn't have to walk. The stairs was the worst.
Pages:
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164