XVI
IN THE CRUCIBLE
When Steve and Nancy reached home they found Mr. Follet in bed suffering intensely with sciatic pains. He fretted constantly, declaring he would get up whether or no by afternoon. He was obliged to make a trip into the country for a load of hay, able or not, that evening, he said. Steve offered to go for him, but Mr. Follet impatiently declared that nobody could do it but himself, as there was some other business to be attended to at the same time.
The pain continued so severe, however, that getting up was an impossibility, and about seven o’clock after fretting and fuming for hours, occupying Mrs. Follet and Nancy continually, he said to his wife:
“Go tell Steve to come here.”
Mrs. Follet obeyed and brought Steve in from the porch where he sat supposedly reading, Nancy being busy then with the supper dishes.
“Now you go out, ma, and don’t come back till I tell you,” said Mr. Follet querulously, and his wife went wonderingly.
“Steve,” said Mr. Follet as soon as the young man entered, “I know I can trust you, and I am going to get you to do some important business for me.”