"Yes; but it ain't best to always judge a man by his misdeeds in the past, but rather by his good deeds in the present, an' what they promise for the future."
"Why not, when it's accordin' to scriptur'?"
So the talk went on, while 'Zeki'l sat by his fireless hearth or walked aimlessly up and down the yard. At dusk his brother called, looking almost as haggard as he did.
"It's a bad thing, 'Zeki'l."
"Yes," said 'Zeki'l, listlessly.
"They are fools to think you had anything to do with it, plumb fools."
"It's natural they should, 'Lijy."
"I can't stand it, 'Zeki'l! Lord! I can't stand it!"
He fell into a chair and covered his face with his hands.
"Chut, man! what does it matter?" said 'Zeki'l, bracing himself up and forcing a smile. "Don't let 'Lizabeth believe it, that's all I ask."