Pepperill was now all anxiety to hurry his wife off. He urged precipitancy on account of the falling tide. He bade her row herself across, and leave the boat on the farther shore till the next morning.
His impatience in a measure woke her suspicion.
“You seem mighty eager to get rid of me,” she said querulously.
“’Tain’t that, Zerah,” he answered; “but I want myself to be off to Brimpts.”
“To Brimpts?—and leave Kitty alone in the house?”
“No; I shall take her with me.”
“What!—leave the house to take care of itself?”
“What can harm it? No one will break in. They know pretty well there is nothing to be got but bills that ain’t paid.”
“I don’t half like it—and the stores?”
“There is no moving wool or coals without waggons, and I shall lock up.”