The cripple listened to his angry words a few seconds, and then, knowing no good could come of waiting, said as he walked away,—
"I only came over here to tell you Aunt Nancy was sorry, an' there's no need of stayin' any longer after you know it."
"I'll have her arrested for swindlin' me outer that money!"
"She didn't do anything of the kind, an' it's all your own fault you lost it," Jack cried, emboldened by the knowledge that he was at a safe distance from the angry man.
The farmer shook his fist at the cripple in impotent rage, and Jack hurried out to the road where Tom was waiting to receive him.
"What was goin' on down there?" Master Pratt asked eagerly. "I heard him hollerin' awful."
"It wasn't much. Your father was kinder mad, but I guess he'll get over it pretty soon."
"I hope so, for he's been scoldin' about losin' the money ever since he first saw the papers. Where are you goin' now?"
"Home."
"Why don't you hold on a while an' get rested?"