“He’s an old fool!� said Jacob fiercely, “a damned old fool!�
Mrs. Eaton clasped her hands. “I’m only too thankful, Jacob, that you never married her!� she said devoutly.
“She’s refused me twice,� said Jacob grimly.
His mother uttered an inarticulate sound. And at that instant Davidson, an old gray-headed negro, appeared and Jacob called him. “Tell James to pack my suit-case,� he said sharply. “I’m going to Lexington this morning on the eight-forty.�
“Doctor Cheyney’s at the doah, suh,� said Davidson, “and would like ter see yo’.�
“What does that old fool want, I wonder?� Jacob remarked, as he rose to follow the negro into the hall.
“What are you going so soon for, Jacob?� his mother asked tremulously, “and can you—the bail—�
“I’ve arranged that,� said Jacob shortly, and flung himself out of the room.
Dr. Cheyney was looking out from under the cover of his buggy, and old Henk was breathing as if they had ascended the hill at an unusual gait.
“Morning, Jacob,� said the doctor pleasantly, “I stopped by to leave that book for your mother; Mrs. Broughton asked me to bring it when I passed yesterday and I clean forgot it.�