Johnny hesitated. He had once seen the school-master and Cressy together; he had heard it whispered by the other children that they loved each other. But looking at Seth and Mrs. McKinstry he felt that something more tremendous than this stupid fact was required of him for grown-up people, and being honest and imaginative, he determined that it should be worth the money.
“Speak up, Johnny, don't be afeard to tell.”
Johnny was not “afeard”—he was only thinking. He had it! He remembered that he had just seen his paragon, the brilliant Stacey, coming from the boundary woods. What more poetical and startlingly effective than to connect him with Cressy? He replied promptly:—
“Mithter Thtathy. He gived her a watch and ring of truly gold. Goin' to be married at Thacramento.”
“You lyin' limb,” said Seth, seizing him roughly. But Mrs. McKinstry interposed.
“Let that brat go,” she said with gleaming eyes. “I want to talk to you.” Seth released Johnny. “It's a trick,” he said, “he's bin put up to it by that Ford.”
But Johnny, after securing a safe vantage behind the blackberry bush, determined to give them another trial—with facts.
“I know mor'n that,” he called out.
“Git—you measly pup,” said Seth savagely.
“I know Theriff Briggth, he rid over the boundary with a lot o' men and horthes,” said Johnny, with that hurried delivery with which he was able to estop interruption. “Theed 'em go by. Maur Harrithon theth his dad's goin' to chuck out ole McKinthtry. Hooray!”