"There's the train now, mother. Do let me go. I ain't never seen a darky burned."
"Burned!" exclaimed Mrs. Brant in horror.
Melville looked up at his mother as if pitying her ignorance.
"They are going to burn them. Sed Lonly heard his papa and Mr. Corkle talking about it, and it's all fixed up,"
"My Heavenly Father!" murmured Mrs. Brant, horror struck.
The cheering of the multitude borne upon the air was now heard.
"Mother, I must go. You can beat me as hard as you want to after I do it. I can't let Ben Stringer be crowing over me. He'll be there."
Looking intently at his mother, Melville backed toward the door. Mrs. Brant rushed forward and seized him.
"I shall put you in the attic. You shall not see that inhuman affair."
To her surprise Melville did not resist, but meekly submitted to being taken up stairs and locked in the attic.