“I’m sendin’ to town for Lawyer Benton,” announced the patient with elaborate carelessness.
Neither Melvina’s voice nor her face expressed the slightest curiosity.
“There’s some business I must see to right away, an’ I reckon I may’s well get it fixed up this mornin’.”
“Yes, marm.”
“Give Tony this note for Mr. Benton and tell him to fetch him back soon’s he can.”
Nodding acquiescence, Melvina disappeared.
During the interval between the time the wheels rattled out of the yard and rattled in again, Ellen fidgeted at a high-pitched excitement, starting nervously at every sound. Sometimes she scowled; and once she burst into a harsh, cracked peal of laughter. Her thoughts, whatever they were, seemed to amuse her vastly.
The moment the tramp of the horse’s hoofs 240 sounded on the gravel outside, she was alert and called to Melvina, stationed at the window:
“Is that Tony?”
“Yes, marm.”