Ellen did not speak immediately. When she did it was to ask:
“What’s Martin Howe doin’ on my land?” 225
“Helpin’, I s’pose,” Melvina replied with indifference. “He often does.”
“He comes over here an’ works?”
“Yes, marm.”
Ellen brought her fist down on the arm of the chair with an exclamation of anger. Her lips were white, and she trembled. Raising her unsteady finger, she pointed toward the unconscious culprits.
“You go straight out there, Melvina,” she cried, “an’ tell Lucy I want her.”
“Yes, marm.”
“Hurry!”
“Yes.”