Lon was first to break the strained silence.
"We been waitin' a long time fer ye, Flea. Ye've kept the tug a steamin' fer two hours."
"I couldn't come before," replied the girl. "I had to wait till Fluke and Sister Ann went to bed."
Lon sneered as he repeated:
"Sister Ann!"
"She's the lady you saw when you were there, Pappy Lon. And she's the best woman in all the world!"
The squatter smiled darkly.
"Ye'd best put Snatchet in the back room, and then come here again and set down, Flea, 'cause it'll take a long time to get to Ithaca, and ye'll be tired a standin'."
His sarcasm caused no change to cross the girl's face; but Lem grinned broadly. He took the tacks from between his teeth and made as if to speak. After a few vain stutters, however, he replaced the tacks and hammered away at the old boot. Now and then the goiter moved up and down, each movement indicating the passage of a thought through his sluggish brain.
Fledra removed Snatchet and returned to the living-cabin, as Lon had suggested.