“I’ll go in and speak to thy father now, Patty,” said Tom.
“Oh, Tom! Will it have to be so soon?” said Patty, in a half-frightened voice.
“The sooner spoken, the sooner over,” said Tom, somewhat grimly, for the task was not a pleasant one to do, as those who have passed through the same can tell if they choose.
So Tom went into the house, and Patty sat down on a chair on the porch to wait for his coming out again.
Tom looked in through the half-open door of the dining-room and saw Elihu sitting in his cushioned rocking-chair in front of the smouldering fire, rocking and smoking the while.
“May I come in?” said Tom, standing uncertainly at the door.
“Yes; come in,” said Elihu, without moving.
“I have something to tell thee,” said Tom.
“Sit down,” said Elihu.
Tom would rather have stood up, for he felt easier upon his feet; nevertheless, he sat down as he was bidden, leaning his elbows on his knees and gazing into the crown of his hat, which he held in his hand and turned about this way and that.