"Have you seen Eben?" she called.
John stopped short in his tracks, and for an instant he was tempted to tell this woman about her son's cowardly attack. He resisted the longing, however, and merely informed her that Eben was down on the shore, and no doubt would be home shortly.
"It is just as well for her not to know what that boy has done," he confided to Jess, as they continued on their way. "It wouldn't do any good, and the less said about it the better."
"And don't let us say anything about what happened at the quarry, John.
I feel certain now that Eben threw the stone which hit me."
"There is no doubt about it," was the emphatic reply. "I won't say a word now, but that young rascal must be taught a lesson. He needs to be severely punished for what he has done."
CHAPTER XXII
ON THE REBEL TRAIL
"A stick struck me, mother. But it's nothing serious; merely a scratch."
Such was John's brief explanation as he entered the dining-room. Mrs. Hampton asked no questions, but seeing how pale Jess looked, she felt certain that something out of the ordinary had happened. It did not take her long to dress the wound, after which the young couple sat down to their supper.
"You will take Mrs. Grimsby home, will you not, John?" Mrs. Hampton asked.