I had unburdened my soul. The above words are quoted not from my memory, but from his, which has always been most reliable. I remember well my thoughts and feelings but not many of my words on a day so distant.
"Forward, march!" said he and away we started for the home of the Dunkelbergs. The village interested me immensely. I had seen it only twice before. People were moving about in the streets. One thing I did not fail to notice. Every man we met touched his hat as he greeted my friend.
"Good morning, Sile," some said, as we passed them, or, "How are you, Comptroller?"
It was a square, frame house—that of the Dunkelbergs—large for that village, and had a big dooryard with trees in it. As we came near the gate I saw Sally Dunkelberg playing with other children among the trees. Suddenly I was afraid and began to hang back. I looked down at my bare feet and my clothes, both of which were dirty. Sally and her friends had stopped their play and were standing in a group looking at us. I heard Sally whisper:
"It's that Baynes boy. Don't he look dirty?"
I stopped and withdrew my hand from that of my guide.
"Come on, Bart," he said.
I shook my head and stood looking over at that little, hostile tribe near me.
"Go and play with them while I step into the house," he urged.
Again I shook my head.