It was a bitter cry, and Aunt 'Mira sniveled as she stood over the dish-pan. Marty shuffled heavily as he grabbed his cap and made his way toward the door.
"I'm goin' over to the lib'ry for a book," he explained huskily, and went out.
Janice and Nelson soon retired to the sitting room while the three older people carried on a desultory conversation for the next hour. Suddenly there came a tapping on the sitting room window by Nelson's chair. He pulled aside the shade a little and glanced out.
What he saw made him start suddenly to his feet. "Who is it?" asked Janice, busy with the fancy-work in her lap.
"Somebody who evidently wishes to speak with me in private," Nelson told her with a smile. "I'll be right back."
He went out through the kitchen and found Marty standing in the yard—a very white-faced and trembling Marty, quite unlike his usual self.
"What is it? What has happened?" the schoolmaster asked sharply.
"Oh, Mr. Haley! I can't tell her—I can't let her know it."
"Whom are you talking about—your mother?"
"No. It's Janice."