"But be quick about it. Great goodness, I can't wait all day."
"There's so much that I can't tell it in a breath."
"But can't you give me the gist of it? Call yourself a newspaper man and can't get at the gist of a thing."
"Be patient a moment and I will read to you."
During more than an hour Witherspoon sat, listening; and when the last paper had been disposed of, he said: "Why, that isn't so bad. They don't mix me up in it after all. What was that? Brooks seems to he wavering and may make a confession? But what will he say? That's the question. What will he say?"
"How can he say anything to hurt you?" Mrs. Wither spoon asked.
"He can't if he sticks to the truth. But will he? He may want to ruin the Colossus. I will not go near him. They may hang him and let him rot. I will not go near him. The truth is, I have been afraid of him. The best of us have cause to fear the man we have placed too much confidence in. Caroline, I'll get up."
"Not now, father. The doctor said you must not get up to-day."
"But does he suppose I'm going to lie here and let the Colossus run wild? Got nobody to help me; nobody."
"I will go down this morning and see that everything starts off all right," said Henry.