Martin looked surprised, but he obeyed.
“I war told ter keep hit a secret, Tally,” said Si Quinn as the door closed behind her brother. “But I couldn’t let you go ’way a-thinkin’ I sent you thet box, fer I didn’t. I’ll trust you never ter speak of hit long as I live if I tell you. Hit war Jake Simcox—”
“Jake—!” Talitha stopped short in amazement.
“Yes, he’s repented of his folly and is turnin’ over a new leaf. He air a good piece from Goose Creek and he’s got a chanct ter work an’ go ter school. What’s more, he ’lows ter make up—some time—fer all the mischief he done. But he war sech a pore ignorunt feller—I reckon you’ve fergiven him, Tally, hit worked out a sight o’ good fer you and fer Goose Creek.”
“Yes, yes, indeed!” cried the girl, the tears in her eyes, “and I’m so glad he’s having a chance. I wish you’d tell him so.”
“’Tain’t likely I’ll ever see him agin, but he’s goin’ ter make a man of himself yit, I reckon.” The schoolmaster looked down at his favourite pupil and there was a smile on his face that softened the plain, rugged features like sunshine from within shining outwardly. Standing in the glow of the firelight with the Christmas holly and pine on shelf and wall, the twinkling candles—he had lighted in honour of his guests—the white-haired, white-bearded man seemed like the memory of an old-time Christmas that had slipped back to its mountain home for a brief renewal of past pleasures.
Talitha carried the picture away with her as she went thoughtfully down the path toward the big pine where Martin waited.
XIII
THE “STILL” CAVE
By dawn the next morning, the little party set forth for the return trip across the mountains. The four had come the distance to Goose Creek on horses and mules hired from the school farm. Talitha was mounted on Dan Gooch’s sorrel he had unselfishly lent her, her father firmly refusing to allow his one mule to be taken from the place.
“I ’low they’ll find room on the farm fer the beastie, a spell,” said Dan, anxious to show Talitha a favour. “I’m reckonin’ on gettin’ down ter Bentville myself, come spring, ter see what the school air like and what you’re doin’ thar.”