“Shelter for the past three months.”
“Are you of age?”
“I am almost twenty-four,” she said.
“Then suppose you leave Uncle Henry to me,” suggested the Harvester.
“Why?”
“Careful now! The red bird told you why!” said the man. “I will not urge it upon you now, but keep it steadily in the back of your head that there is a sunshine room all ready and waiting for you, and I am going to take you to it very soon. As things are, I think you might allow me to tell you——”
She was on her feet in instant panic. “I must go,” she said. “Uncle Henry is dogging me to promise to remain, and I will not, and he is watching me. I must go——”
“Can you give me your word of honour that you will go to the neighbour woman to-night; that you feel perfectly safe?”
She hesitated. “Yes, I——I think so. Yes, if he doesn't find out and grow angry. Yes, I will be safe.”
“How soon will you write me?”