"We sold out for the children's sake, but, Lord! I'm pestered now more than ever."
"Because I'm here?"
"Well, it ain't reasonable to think we can all go right on livin' here, an' folks not find out you an' 'Lijy are brothers."
"What would you like for me to do, Marthy Ann?"
She hesitated a moment, then drew a little nearer to him.
"Couldn't you go away? You've got nobody but yourself to think about, an' I know in reason 'Lijy would be glad to buy your place," with a careless, half-contemptuous glance at the cabin.
A dull flush passed over his face; his mouth twitched.
"Does 'Lijy want me to go?"
"He ain't said so; but—"
"I'll think about it," he said slowly, turning back to the smithy, where a red-hot tool awaited his hammer.