“Well,” he began, after a moment’s hesitation, “there’s a good deal of talk—but let’s go in where the others are.”
Lizzie Meggs followed them into the sitting-room, nervously twisting her hard and capable fingers.
“Much excitement downtown, Sammy?” inquired Oliver, arising.
“The streets are crowded. Not much excitement, however. Everybody seems to be sort of knocked silly.”
“What are they saying?” demanded Judge Shortridge.
“Well, I hate to tell you, but as far as I can make out, Judge, there seems to be a general feeling that—that Oliver did it,” said Sammy, wiping his moist forehead with the back of a hand that shook slightly.
“Snap judgment,” said the lawyer, after silence had reigned for a few seconds. “That is always the way with the ignorant and uninformed. Nothing to worry about, Oliver. They will be on your side to-morrow when they understand the situation a little better. It’s always the way with a crowd.”
Josephine Sage spread her hands in a gesture of contempt. “ ‘What fools these mortals be,’ ” she declaimed theatrically.
“But we cannot ignore public opinion,” cried Jane miserably. “It is hard to fight public opinion. Oh, Oliver, I am so—so worried.”
“Don’t you worry, Janie,” he said softly, putting his arm about her. “Nothing will come of all this. We will sweep away every suspicion—”