“I can’t, without making a noise!” replied Jack, trembling with excitement. “They’ll hear.”
“No, they won’t! Don’t hurry. I’ll help you. Take off your shoes.”
Jack took off his shoes and hat, giving them to Tug to hold. Still he hesitated.
“I wish they had shut the door! Wait a minute! Hark!”
“The old man is readin’ the Scriptur’s!” said Hank. “Then he’ll pray. It couldn’t have happened better. Ye could grind a scythe, when he’s prayin’, an’ he wouldn’t hear.”
Jack listened a moment, and heard the squire read in a loud, nasal tone:—
“But know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what hour the thief would come he would have watched.”
“I can’t go!” Jack whispered, turning away.
“You can!” Hank insisted. “Now or never! Your only chance. I’ll lift you up.”
“Well! lift! careful!”