“It is quite likely he cannot read,” said one of the other men, with a look around the scene.
“Well, read it to him and his precious brood,” snapped the ’squire.
CHAPTER XV.
DEFYING A TIGER.
“It is a notice for you and your crowd to leave the town within twenty-four hours,” replied the man addressed, pointing to the paper he had just helped affix to the stake.
“And it is signed by these gentlemen, who are two of the selectmen of the town,” added ’Squire Hardy, triumphantly. “Now I guess you’ll get. If you don’t the worst’ll be your own. We’ll show you that New York can’t dump her slums here.”
Rob offered no reply, and without further words the three men rode away, leaving a frightened group behind them.
“Oh, Rob!” cried Mrs. Bayne, “what shall we do? what shall we do?”
“Oh, why did we ever leave the city?” moaned Aunt Vinnie. “Why weren’t we satisfied with what we had?”
“Aunt Vinnie,” said Joe, stoutly, “I wouldn’t go back to the city for all it holds. They can’t kill us, and we’ll get our living here somehow, won’t we, Rob?”
“To be sure we will, Joe. Have courage, mother. I wish I knew where Chick and Ruddy are.”