A short wave of the hand—a quick, distressful nod, and the choking down of a sob, told him that it was so.
The young man let down his arms, and with a frown of mingled sorrow and anger approached and gazed upon the sleeper.
“Have you had much trouble with him, dear Kate?”
The same choking sob and quick nod answered him.
“Where DID he get the liquor? What has he laid his hands on and sold now—any of my books?”
“No! no!—it was my bonnet—but never mind, I can wear your old hat, you know!—it doesn’t matter for me!”
“Well, now, by all that’s—”
“Hush, hush, Carl! Don’t swear—he is our grandfather, you know; and besides,” she added, suddenly dropping her voice, “there are strangers up stairs.”
“Strangers! What strangers?”
“Two gentlemen who came in here out of the storm.”