“Oh, Collet’s got them. I’d have fetched ’em myself if she hadn’t. They’ve not taken Jack Banks, nor Mall. Left ’em for next time, maybe.”
“Well, I am thankful they took not you, Tabitha.”
“Me? They’d have had to swallow my red-hot poker afore they took me. I count they frighted Christie a bit, fearing they’d have you; but I went to see after the child, and peaced her metely well ere I came thence.”
“I am right thankful to you, sister. Tabitha, I have found Alice.”
“You have so?—and where is she?”
Roger gave a detailed account of the circumstances.
“Seems to me they want a taste of the poker there,” said Tabitha in her usual manner. “I’ll buy a new one, so that I run not out of stock ere customers come. But I scarce think old Jeremy’ll dare come a-nigh me; it’ll be Sheriff himself, I reckon, when that piece of work’s to be done. If they come to your house, just you bid Nell set the poker in the fire, and run over for me, and you keep ’em in talk while I come. Or a good kettle of boiling water ’d do as well—I’m no wise nice which it is—or if she’d a kettle of hot pitch handy, that’s as good as anything.”
“I thank you for your counsel, Tabitha. I trust there may be no need.”
“And I the like: but you might as well have the pitch ready.”