"Oh, I'll be keerful," Eben faintly replied, as he groped his way along the dark passage. "I won't run no risk."
Left alone, the women talked about the fire, and the bravery of their young rescuer.
"Eben is certainly a hero," Mrs. Hampton remarked. "How can we ever repay him for what he has done for us to-day?"
"He must have done it for your sake?" Jess replied. "I am sure he didn't do it for me."
"Why not?" Mrs. Hampton asked in surprise.
"He doesn't like me. I feel certain that it was Eben who threw the stone which hit me that night at the quarry. And then when he came home yesterday and met John and me on the shore he was very angry. He picked up a stick and threw it with all his might. It hit John, but I really believe it was meant for me."
"This is all news to me, dear," Mrs. Hampton replied as she pressed the girl's hand in hers. "What reason has Eben for disliking you?"
"I don't know. But he has acted very strangely ever since those two men were injured at the quarry. He was so pleasant and agreeable before that."
"John met you there that night, did he not?" Mrs. Hampton asked.
"Oh, yes. We were together all the next day, and had such a happy time."