Seeing that pleading was hopeless, at present, and that Ned was in one of his dogged fits, Jessica quietly walked away and began to help in the preparation of the elder people’s meal, as her mother liked to have her do.
Meanwhile, Aunt Sally waited upon the children, piling their saucers with the tasty porridge, moistened with Blandina’s yellow cream and plentifully sprinkled with sugar. They were healthy and unused to grief, and the palatable food soon restored their good humor. They seemed to forgive their venerable tormentor and fell to their accustomed scrimmage with the utmost enjoyment; and this was pleasanter for all concerned. However, even when they had eaten all they could and were ready for outdoors and their morning fun, their plans were nipped in the bud. Aunt Sally had a spare hand for each of them and conducted them firmly to the 129 dining room and a place upon its lounge, while the family took their own food in what comfort they could.
This was not so great Mrs. Trent’s eyes would wander to the unhappy pair––for they were once more gloomy and unsubdued––and old Ephraim cast many glances thither, entreating by silent signals that they should repent of whatever sin they had committed and be restored to favor.
The meal past the family rose and, from her pocket, Mrs. Benton produced two long strips of cloth, one of which she fastened about each child’s wrist, leaving its other end to tie to her own apron belt.
Then she turned to the mother, whose tears were beginning to fall, and said, severely:
“Gabriella, if I didn’t love you as well as I love myself and better, I’d let these children go and no more said. But they’ve done that no punishin’ won’t reach, though maybe they’ll give in after a spell. I shan’t hurt ’em nor touch to; but I shall keep ’em tied to me till they tell me what I’m bound to know. So that’s all. You’ve got enough on your hands, with this funeral business and all that’ll come, and however we’re goin’ to feed another lot of visitors so soon after them others, I declare I don’t see. And me with these tackers tied to my apron strings, the way they be!”
Mrs. Trent rose and left the room and Jessica slowly followed. Neither of them could quite understand Aunt Sally’s present behavior, nor why she should wish to bother herself with two such hindrances to the labor which must be accomplished.
But Ephraim lingered. He simply could not endure the sight of the little ones’ unhappiness, and 130 quietly slipping a knife from his pocket he coolly cut their leading strings, caught them up in his strong arms and limped away before their captor had discovered her loss.
But he put his head back inside the doorway to call out, reassuringly:
“Begging pardon, Mrs. Benton, I’ll ‘spell’ you on the ‘worming out’ business and promise they shan’t leave my care till I hand ’em back to you thoroughly ‘pumped.’ Come along, laddies. I’ve a mind to visit every spot on this blessed ranch and––upon one condition––I’ve a mind to take you with me. Want to hear?”