Colonel Thomas grew more and more disturbed.
“Won’t you partake of some refreshment?” he offered in his old-fashioned way. “I will call my daughter.”
“No, I thank you. I have a long journey and I must start.” She looked up at the old gentleman for a single brave instant; then her eyes dropped.
“We can’t be blamed for the sins and mistakes of our ancestors,” said he unhappily.
“No,” agreed Elizabeth. “That is true.” But she could not fail to see that, consciously or unconsciously, he glanced toward two old swords crossed above his mantelpiece. “Good-bye,” said she.
But her farewell was not final. She had driven only a short distance when she turned old Joe round, facing him the way he had come. Her cheeks burned. Now she looked upon the marauders on her land in a new light.
“They probably think they can do as they please because we are despised!”
Colonel Thomas welcomed her.
“I’ll always be glad to see you.”
“I’ve come back to ask another question, which has to do with the present instead of the past. We have a good deal of woodland back of the house and men prowl about there constantly with guns and dogs.”