第56章

"Um-hm," gravely; "I'm afraid I do.It looks to me as if it was the only way.""But we can't! Oh, Mr.Winslow, we can't do that.""I know 'twill be awful hard for you.But, when I talked to Sam about my havin' a possible candidate for the bank place, the very last thing he said was that he'd be glad to see him providin' his references was all right.I give you my word I'd never thought of references, not till then.""But if we tell him--tell him everything, we shall only make matters worse, shan't we? Of course he won't give him the position then.""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."Jed was conscious of a cold sensation, like the touch of an icicle, up and down his spine.Going away! She and Babbie going away! In his mind's eye he saw a vision of the little house closed once more and shuttered tight as it used to be.He gasped.

"Now, now, Mrs.Armstrong," he faltered."Don't talk about goin'

away.It--it isn't needful for you to do anything like that.Of course it ain't.You--you mustn't.I--we can't spare you."She drew a long breath."I would go to the other end of the world," she said, "rather than tell Captain Hunniwell the truth about my brother.I told you because Babbie had told you so much already....Oh," turning swiftly toward him, "YOU won't tell Captain Hunniwell, will you?"Before he could answer she stretched out her hand."Oh, please forgive me," she cried."I am not myself.I am almost crazy, Ithink.And when you first told me about the position in the bank Iwas so happy.Oh, Mr.Winslow, isn't there SOME way by which Charles could have that chance? Couldn't--couldn't he get it and--and work there for--for a year perhaps, until they all saw what a splendid fellow he was, and THEN tell them--if it seemed necessary?

They would know him then, and like him; they couldn't help it, every one likes him."She brushed the tears from her eyes.Poor Jed, miserable and most unreasonably conscience-stricken, writhed in his chair."I--Idon't know," he faltered."I declare I don't see how.Er--er--Out in that bank where he used to work, that Wisconsin bank, he--you said he did first-rate there?"

She started."Yes, yes," she cried, eagerly."Oh, he was splendid there! And the man who was the head of that bank when Charles was there is an old friend of ours, of the family; he has retired now but he would help us if he could, I know.I believe...I wonder if...Mr.Winslow, I can't tell any one in Orham of our disgrace and I can't bear to give up that opportunity for my brother.Will you leave it to me for a little while? Will you let me think it over?"Of course Jed said he would and went back to his little room over the shop.As he was leaving she put out her hand and said, with impulsive earnestness:

"Thank you, Mr.Winslow.Whatever comes of this, or if nothing comes of it, I can never thank you enough for your great kindness."Jed gingerly shook the extended hand and fled, his face scarlet.

During the following week, although he saw his neighbors each day, and several times a day, Mrs.Armstrong did not mention her brother or the chance of his employment in the Orham bank.Jed, very much surprised at her silence, was tempted to ask what her decision was, or even if she had arrived at one.On one occasion he threw out a broad hint, but the hint was not taken, instead the lady changed the subject; in fact, it seemed to him that she made it a point of avoiding that subject and was anxious that he should avoid it, also.He was sure she had not abandoned the idea which, at first, had so excited her interest and raised her hopes.She seemed to him to be still under a strong nervous strain, to speak and act as if under repressed excitement; but she had asked him to leave the affair to her, to let her think it over, so of course he could do or say nothing until she had spoken.But he wondered and speculated a good deal and was vaguely troubled.When Captain Sam Hunniwell called he did not again refer to his possible candidate for the position now held by Luther Small.And, singularly enough, the captain himself did not mention the subject.

But one morning almost two weeks after Jed's discussion with the young widow she and Captain Hunniwell came into the windmill shop together.Mrs.Armstrong's air of excitement was very much in evidence.Her cheeks were red, her eyes sparkled, her manner animated.Her landlord had never seen her look so young, or, for that matter, so happy.

Captain Sam began the conversation.He, too, seemed to be in high good humor.

"Well, Jedidah Wilfred Shavin's'," he observed, facetiously, "what do you suppose I've got up my sleeve this mornin'?"Jed laid down the chisel he was sharpening.

"Your arms, I presume likely," he drawled.