"I'll do it! I vum I'll do it! It's the only way."
His wife noted his restlessness.
"What's the matter, Ezra?" she asked. "Can't you sleep? Are you sick?"
"Nope. I'm all right."
But Mr. Larabee wasn't. Sleep would not come to him. He was busy thinking of many things, but chief of all was a plan he had evolved to save Dick Hamilton from what the old man thought was a trip that would "waste" much money.
"I've got to do it," murmured Uncle Ezra to the darkness all about him. "It may not be accordin' to strict law, but it's justice. I've got to do it," and he turned wearily from one side of the bed to the other as he worked out the details of his plot.
"For land sakes!" exclaimed his wife at length, for she was being kept awake, "can't you doze off, Ezra?"
"No, I can't seem to, Samanthy."
"Maybe your railroad trip upsot ye?"
"No, I guess not. I think I'll sleep now. I've had lots to think of, Samanthy."