At that instant Mahlon Spellman appeared in his doorway. He was in time to glimpse a flying missile that came hurtling through the air, striking Junior a hard blow on the side of the head, knocking him down. He heard Mahala’s shrill scream and saw her throw open the gate to kneel beside the boy. He paused long enough to call his wife, then rushed to help Junior to his feet.
The boy was half dazed. His head was cut and bleeding. As he recovered from the shock of the blow, he grew wild with rage and excitement. Mahala hurried to the kitchen to summon Jemima Davis and for a few minutes all of them were rushing through the house for water, bandages, camphor, and first aids. Mahala, standing beside the couch upon which he was lying, watched her mother’s deft fingers exploring his temple. A rush of colour stained her white face when the verdict came: “It is nothing but a very bad bruise.”
Instantly her head lifted and tilted in one of the bird-like movements familiar with her from childhood. Her mother was fully occupied; her father was chafing Junior’s hands, trying to quiet him. Jemima was holding the basin in which Mrs. Spellman was dipping cloths to staunch the blood and cleanse the wound. To all of them in general Mahala announced: “I will bring some dry towels,” as she slipped from the room.
She ran to the kitchen where she made a quick survey of everything. Then she caught up a box standing on a table and hastily, with flying fingers, she packed into it biscuit, slices of pressed chicken, pieces of cake—everything she could snatch from the remains of the lunch that had been served her guests. Then she darted from the back door, down the steps, and made her way among the shrubbery screening the side parlour window.
“Jason!” she breathed softly. “Jason!”
At once the bushes parted and Jason stood by her side. She thrust the box into his hands.
Her face was very near to his in order that he might hear her breathless whisper: “Can they ever find out where that bird came from?”
Jason’s voice was dry and breathless, too, as he answered: “They never can. It didn’t come from this town.”
“Run!” urged Mahala. “The minute Junior feels better Father will be searching the shrubbery and the neighbourhood. Run!”
Then she was gone.