“I’m mighty sorry that a thing of this sort should have happened,” the deputy said, turning to Rex. “I’m afraid that it’ll give you a mighty bad impression of us up here in Maine. But I never knowed a thing of this sort ter happen afore. Parry, I’m sure ashamed of you.”
Parry hung his head but said nothing.
“Well, we’ll be getting back,” the deputy announced. “Get your duds on, Parry. I suppose you boys will wait till morning afore you start?” he asked turning to Bob.
“Why, I hardly know, but probably we will as it’s pretty late to start now,” Bob replied. “We are certainly very grateful to you for coming to our aid.”
“Oh, that’s nothin’. All in the day’s work,” the deputy declared. Then turning to Rex he asked:
“What charge do you want ter make ’gainst this feller, Mr. Dale?”
“Why, er I don’t think I want to make any,” Rex said after a moment’s thought. “Really I have no hard feelings against him and I believe that he’s been punished enough. How about it Parry?”
“I ver’ sorry. I, I don’t know what mak’ me do heem,” the breed said as he stood with downcast eyes.
“Then suppose we let it go at that,” Rex suggested.
“Just as you say,” the deputy agreed. “But I’ll be blest if many would do it. Parry, you don’t deserve it.”