“Dassent go home,” replied Absalom.
“Why not?”
“Pa’ll kill me.”
“What for?”
“Because I ran away.”
“So you’ve run away, have you?” said I. “Why?”
“Because pa licked me and locked me in the woodshed and wouldn’t let me come to the doin’s this afternoon, and I just wouldn’t stand it, so I got out and cut.”
“When did you get out?” I asked, leaning forward a trifle.
“This afternoon,” replied Absalom. “I thought first I’d come to the doin’s anyhow and help you with those things I’d promised, but I was scared to come with pa there, so I went the other way. I walked and walked and walked, till I was tired out and most starved, because I hadn’t brought anything along to eat, and I didn’t know where I was headed for, anyway, and then I came along here and saw this shack and came in and sat down to rest. I must a fell asleep.”
“You didn’t do it, then?” said I, eagerly.