"Gospel. I done a thing as he took in a very unkind spirit I'm sorry to say."
The blue parcel trembled.
"Going—you? Never!"
"Monday month it have got to be."
"Why for? What have you gone and done? It must have been something properly fearful, for he thought the world of you, behind your back."
"To my face, however, he did not—not this evening. And as to what I done, I hope he won't feel called to name it in your ear. It was a very dangerous task, as I reckoned when I started on it; but I felt drove—Lord knows why! I meant well, but that don't amount to much when you fail. No doubt he'll get somebody he likes better; and he won't withhold a good character neither."
"This be a cruel come-along-of-it," she said blankly. "I couldn't have heard nothing to trouble me more, Thomas. You was the bestest we've ever had to Falcon Farm—and kindness alive."
"Thank you I'm sure. We've been very good friends. And why not?"
"I can't picture you gone. 'Twas a rit of temper. I'll speak to father."
"Don't you do that. There weren't no temper, nor yet language. He meant it and he's an unchanging man."