CHAPTER XIII.
THE NEW AVENUE.
The sound of Tom's loud talk to his oxen, started Bertie; and he tried to stop crying and see whether Jerry was walking by the side of the drag.
Mr. Curtis motioned to the man to stop, and Tom wondered not a little to see how stern the Squire's face had grown. Bertie's eyes, too, were red and swollen with crying. What could it mean?
"Mr. Grant," began Mr. Curtis, "can you tell me whether the head mason down there is a habitual drunkard?"
"He has the name of it, Squire, I'm sorry to say," answered Tom, greatly confused.
"Wait a moment, I may need you;" and Mr. Curtis walked quickly down the bulkhead into the cellar.