The opposing force moved aside with an almost imperceptible motion. Ellen looked like a beautiful child, her light hair tossed around her rosy face, her eyes full of the daring of perfect confidence. She in reality did not feel one throb of fear. She passed the picket-line, and turned instinctively and marched backward with her blue eyes upon them all. Abby Atkins sprang forward to Ellen's side, with Sargent and Joy and Willy Jones and Andrew. Andrew kept calling to Ellen to come back, but she did not heed him.
The little army was several rods from the pickets before a shot rang out, but that was fired into the air. However, it was followed by a fierce clamor of “Scab” and a shower of stones, which did little harm. The Lloyds marched on without a word, except from Sadie Peel. She turned round with a derisive shout.
“Scab yourselves!” she shrieked. “You dassen't fire at me. You're scabs yourselves, you be!”
“Scabs, scabs!” shouted the men, moving forward.
“Scab yourself!” shouted Sadie Peel.
Abby Atkins caught hold of her arm and shook her violently. “Shut up, can't you, Sadie Peel,” she said.
“I'll shut up when I get ready, Abby Atkins! I ain't afraid of them if you be. They dassen't hit me. Scab, scab!” the girl yelled back, with a hysteric laugh.
“Don't that girl know anything?” growled a man behind her.
“Shut up, Sadie Peel,” said Abby Atkins.