His voice was so full of entreaty that a sudden suspicion took hold of me.
"Joe, is—has anything happened to mother?"
"Noa, to be sure: she'll be gettin' well fast enough, if so be as you let her be."
"Then I'll go and see Uncle Loveday, and find out if I am really to go back."
I made a motion to go, but he caught me quickly by the arm.
"Now, Jasper, doan't-'ee go: run back, I tell'ee—run back—I tell'ee you must go back."
His words were so earnest and full of command that I turned round and faced him. Something in his eyes filled me with sickening fear.
"Joe, what were you carrying?"
No answer.
"Joe, what were you carrying?"