“There was other things on it!”
“There was nothing else on it!”
“She says there was.”
“Then she doesn’t tell the truth!”
Black Smith came still closer. The odor of liquor was strong on his breath.
“Well, then, git the paper! No paper should be written by strangers in the settlement of the mountain people. There’s those of us can write. If papers is to be writ we can write them. An’ we can read what is on papers that has been writ. You fetch this paper an’ we’ll tell what’s on it.”
Elizabeth hesitated. The old woman could hardly be made more miserable than she was. She would go and get the paper now and Herbert should be free.
Black Smith was impatient with her delay. He looked at her menacingly.
“Look here. Your brother ain’t gettin’ much to eat while you’re foolin’! He sets all the time an’ cries for his mammy, that’s what he does! We know his kind, an’ we have no use for such folks among the mountain people. We know what else was on that paper beside a will, an’ you know.”
“I’ve told you all that was on it!” Elizabeth’s answer was almost a scream. “You and your mountain people are wicked!”