In a moment more Farmer Parsons, a short, ruddy-faced Englishman, entered the apartment hat in hand. Robert gave him a chair, and then closed the door tightly, that no outsiders might hear what the newcomer had to tell.
CHAPTER XXII.
FARMER PARSONS' STORY.
"You will excuse me for troubling you," began Farmer Parsons, after bowing several times to Mrs. Vernon and Robert. "But I thought I just had to come in and tell you that I couldn't help a-doing of it."
"Couldn't help doing what?" questioned Mrs. Vernon, in perplexity.
"Giving him a sound trouncing, lady. I thought as how he deserved it, I did."
"Whom did you whip?" asked Robert.
"Why, the lady's relative, of course!" cried the farmer, in surprise. "Isn't he back yet?"
"No, we have seen nothing of him."
Farmer Parsons fell back in his chair in open-mouthed surprise.