Just then Mary, and Moses, and George, and Silas, and John, and Rachel came into the room, followed by William Parlin; and Mr. Starbird had to begin at the beginning and tell as far as this all over again.
"A man as tall, perhaps, as Mary, with hair the color of pumpkin and milk, limped up to me—"
"Why, mother, why, Rachel, his hair was all yellow and white," said Moses.
"Well, so I said," pursued Mr. Starbird. "And there were red rings round his eyes, and he had a turn-up nose, and hands all covered with warts."
"Mr. Starbird, you must have seen Israel Crossman," said Mrs. Lyman, who had stopped rocking in her surprise.
"Israel Crossman! That was the very name he spoke as he limped into the barn. I declare, Mrs. Lyman, this is growing more and more mysterious; but I never saw Israel Crossman; I give you my word."
"How very strange!" said Dorcas; "but do make haste and finish, for I am getting all of a tremble."
"Me, too," cried Patty, clinging close to her mother's neck.
"Well, the old man sidled along to me, and said he,—
"'I'm Isr'el Crossman; and look here: me and Squire Lyman's two hired men and (I've forgotten the other name) got in hay into this ere barn last summer. Squire Lyman's folks used me well; but there's one thing that's laid heavy on my mind. Mrs. Lyman lost a gold piece while I was here—'"