Chapter IX
HERBERT PUTS TWO AND TWO TOGETHER
Herbert had been in reality left almost without food for a day. But as he grew weaker, he grew more determined. Several times Sheldon brought him the soiled paper and the stub of pencil and asked him to write. Herbert shook his head.
“She ain’t got help for you very fast,” growled Sheldon.
Herbert looked up into the sullen face, seeing there again a kind of desperation.
On the morning of the second day, when Elizabeth was traveling toward the cabin, the gaunt, angular woman called Jinny came to speak to him. She brought with her a piece of bread.
“I’ll sneak you some more,” she promised. “Are you learned?”
“Not very,” answered Herbert, as he munched the dry, poor bread.
“I mean can you read and write?”