"
"There's a chance he won't, that's true. But Sam Hunniwell's a
fine feller, there ain't any better, and he likes you and--well, he
and I have been cruisin' in company for a long spell. Maybe he'll
give your brother a chance to make good. I hope he will."
"You only hope? I thought you said you believed."
"Well, I do, but of course it ain't sartin. I wish 'twas."
She was silent. Jed, watching her, saw the last traces of
happiness and elation fade from her face and disappointment and
discouragement come back to take their places. He pitied her, and
he yearned to help her. At last he could stand it no longer.
"Now, Mrs. Armstrong," he pleaded, "of course--"
She interrupted.
"No," she said, as if coming to a final decision and speaking that
decision aloud: "No, I can't do it."
"Eh? Can't do--what?"
"I can't have Captain Hunniwell know of our trouble. I came here
to Orham, where no one knew me, to avoid that very thing. At home
there in Middleford I felt as if every person I met was staring at
me and saying, 'Her brother is in prison.' I was afraid to have
Babbie play with the other children. I was--but there, I won't
talk about it. I can't. And I cannot have it begin again here.
I'll go away first. We will all go away, out West, anywhere--
anywhere where we can be--clean--and like other people.
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