"
Waitstill turned from the window, her heart beating a little
faster." What three people know, three hundred are likely to know
sooner or later. It may be a false alarm, but father is in a fury
about something. He must not be told the news until he is in a
better humor!"
XXVIII
PATTY IS SHOWN THE DOOR
DEACON BAXTER drove into the barn, and flinging a blanket over
the wheezing horse, closed the door behind him and hurried into
the house without even thinking to lay down his whip.
Opening the kitchen door and stopping outside long enough to kick
the snow from his heavy boots, he strode into the kitchen and
confronted the two girls. He looked at them sharply before he
spoke, scanning their flushed faces and tear-stained eyes; then
he broke out savagely:--
"Oh! you're both here; that's lucky. Now stan' up and answer to
me. What's this I hear at the Mills about Patience,--common talk
outside the store?"
The time had come, then, and by some strange fatality, when Mark
was too far away to be of service.
"Tell me what you heard, father, and I can give you a better
answer," Patty replied, hedging to gain time, and shaking
inwardly.
"Bill Morrill says his brother that works in New Hampshire
reports you as ridin' through the streets of Allentown last
Monday with a young man.
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