“Talk about her father. Ask if she has heard any news of him.”
“Why? it don’t seem kind to make her cry.”
“What a noodle you are, Noah! Nothing is more profitable for what you intend than to get her into a crying mood, regular soft and tender, and then pity her about her father, and so out with it when she is in tears. That’s the way to win her!”
Noah mused awhile, walking by the side of Rose, in silence. After a minute he said, “What is your notion, Rose? I mean about Jason Quarm. Is he dead or not?”
“Of course he is. Burnt to ashes.”
“But the ashes were not found.”
“My dear Noah, you saw the fire as well as I; you know with what fury it burnt, and how it lasted three days. He was no Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego all pounded into one.”
“You really think he is dead?”
“Sure of it. Would he not have turned up and let folk know he was alive, if he had not perished?[perished?] Would he have allowed Kitty to go on’and not Kitty only, his sister Zerah as well’all this long time, suffering and miserable, because they believe he died a terrible death, if he could relieve their minds by a letter, or, better still, by appearing?”
Suddenly Rose started, caught her cousin by the arm, and drew back.