The camp on the top of the knoll had been left in confusion. The girls were talking rather wildly—some praising Liz and others deploring the happening.
Mrs. Morse commanded silence. She walked over to where the maid-of-all-work stood before the cook-tent.
“What does this mean, Lizzie Bean?” she demanded.
“I tell you I ain’t workin’ for you no more,” cried Liz, wildly. “I’ve give up me job.” 205
“But you had no right to do what you have done.”
“I don’t care, I’d done more. I’d gone at that sheriff with my finger-nails if he’d come nearer. Don’t I hate him—just?”
“Why—why, Lizzie!” gasped the gentle Mrs. Morse.
Here Laura interfered. “I believe I know what is the matter with Lizzie, Mrs. Morse,” she said.
“Well!” snapped Lil, in the background. “Let’s hear it. The girl’s crazy. My mother would never have paid for such a creature to come here with us if she’d known.”
“Your ma needn’t give me a cent, Miss,” returned Liz, sullenly.