I was quite touched and felt like sending for him at once, though the time I brought him home after typhoid fever was most unsuccessful, for he shot himself and as soon as he was out of the doctor's hands I sent him back. Now there is a difficulty as to where he would sleep if he came back. I approached Chloe as to fixing up the little room off of her room for him, but she was so upset at the idea that I gave it up. I know it would be folly to put him alone in a house outside; he would simply have every vagabond in the country to sleep with him or spend his time running over the country at night, which could only lead to trouble. I am disappointed in Rab's scholarship. The handwriting is passable, but everything else is pretty bad.
August 1.
After breakfast was going to the field when Chloe came in terribly excited and said she was going into the field to beat Jean, who had told a lie upon her. When Chloe's blood is up there is no stopping her; I really was frightened, for I did not know what would happen.
I went to the barn-yard to give out the feed when Chloe returned, dragging Jean by the arm. I sent for Lizette and Goliah, heard the whole story, and held court. A complete lie Jean had told, saying Chloe had met her at the pump yesterday and told her that Lizette and Louisa said Jean's clothes never looked well on her because they were all stolen. By this time all the hands had assembled and there was quite an audience. Chloe, still holding Jean tightly by the arm, asked:—
"Did I speak to you at all yesterday, Jean?"
"No, ma'am," said Jean.
Chloe said, "Lizette, you yere dat?" And so on it went, Jean confessing that it was also false what she had said, that wretched Goliah had said he would cut Chloe open with a knife.
After Chloe had said her say, I said a few words in judgment: that they could be indicted but I would only require that they ask Chloe to forgive them for their outrageous conduct. To my great surprise Jean stepped forward and said:—
"I beg your paadon, An' Chloe," extending her hand, which Chloe took and with a grand air said: "I fergiv' you, Jean."
Thankful to have the court so peacefully adjourned I came back to the house and spent the morning cutting out Chloe's "fine black" frock and an extra waist. I always offer to cut out for her, but it ends in my stitching it all up on the machine.