"
There seemed but one reply to this, so Patty answered
tremblingly: "He says what's true; I was there."
"WHAT!" And it was plain from the Deacon's voice that he had
really disbelieved the rumor. A whirlwind of rage swept through
him and shook him from head to foot.
"Do you mean to stan' there an' own up to me that you was thirty
miles away from home with a young man?" he shouted.
"If you ask me a plain question, I've got to tell you the truth,
father: I was."
"How dare you carry on like that and drag my name into scandal,
you worthless trollop, you? Who went along with you? I'll skin
the hide off him, whoever 't was!"
Patty remained mute at this threat, but Waitstill caught her hand
and whispered: "Tell him all, dear; it's got to come out. Be
brave, and I'11 stand by you."
"Why are you interferin' and puttin' in your meddlesome oar?" the
Deacon said, turning to Waitstill. "The girl would never 'a' been
there if you'd attended to your business. She's nothin' but a
fool of a young filly, an' you're an old cart-horse. It was your
job to look out for her as your mother told you to. Anybody might
'a' guessed she needed watchin'!"
"You shall not call my sister an old cart-horse! I'll not permit
it!" cried Patty, plucking up courage in her sister's defence,
and as usual comporting herself a trifle more like a spitfire
than a true heroine of tragedy.
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