"I threw the stone that hit Buck, didn't I! I
busted his head open, didn't I! Oh, of course, I'm
to blame for it all... put it on me."

"Well, how did you get in it?, how did you get
mixed up with the school-teacher?"

"I got Mrs. Caley to thank for this, and I'll thank
her." He hotly recited the obvious aspect of his
connection at the camp meeting with Meta Beggs.

"It sounds all right as far as it goes," she retorted;
"but I'll chance there's a good deal more;
I'll chance you had it made up to meet her there.
You would never have gone for any other reason;
I don't believe you have been to a revival for twenty
years. You had it made up between you. And that
Miss Beggs is too smart for you, she'll fool you all
over the mountain. I don't like her either, and I
don't want you to give her the satisfaction of making
up to you. It's what she'd like -- laughing at my
back!"

"Miss Beggs never spoke any harm of you."

She made a gesture, hopeless, impatient, at his innocence.
Her resentment burst out again, "Why
does she want to speak to you -- another woman's
husband? Anybody knows it's low down. When
did you see her? What did you talk about?"

"Of course when I see her coming I ought to go
'round by South Fork," he replied, heavily sarcastic.

[[235]]

p234 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p235w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p236

v?