“Hush,” whispered John Jennings; “he is behind us, and I would not have such a generous young heart as that think itself spoken of lightly.”
“Would he do it?” Colonel Lamson asked, short-winded and reflective.
“I'll be damned if he wouldn't!” cried the lawyer.
“By the Lord Harry, he would!” cried Squire Eben, each using his favorite oath for confirmation of his opinion.
Jerome, following in their tracks with his uncle Ozias, heard perfectly their last remarks, and lagged behind to hear no more, though his heart leaped up to second with fierce affirmation the lawyer and the Squire.
“Keep behind them,” he whispered to Ozias; “I don't want to listen.”
“Think you'd give it away if you had it, do ye?” his uncle asked, with his dry chuckle.
“I don't think—I know.”
“How d'ye know?”
“I know.”