"My father and brother have gone to Ithaca, and I—Tessibel! Tess, don't look at me that way! Don't! don't!"
"You forgot to tell him," dropped from the squatter's lips.
"No, I didn't forget. Tessibel, I've tried, and I can't tell him.... I haven't the courage," she ejaculated, waiting long for a reply from the rigid girl. Her lips trembled as she faltered:
"My father was cruel to you, Tess!"
"I were a-stealin'," Tess muttered. "He wouldn't a whipped me if he—had knowed about it, would he?"
"No, no! He would have died first.... Tessibel, why didn't you tell him?"
"Didn't ye say it would kill the student if he knowed it? And I swored, didn't I? when the brat was borned, that I wouldn't tell—and I ain't no liar—leastwise about no brats. If it air told, the brat's ma's got to tell it," she finished.
Teola dropped beside her infant.
"I'm afraid to tell it. My father and brother have such confidence in me!" She shifted about, and looked at Tessibel. "We are going to move to the city, Saturday.... I have been thinking about the baby's milk—"