Peters?" he inquired and he appeared to be
embarrassed.
"All my life."
"Is he game?"
"Game enough, I reckon. Why do you ask?"
"I met him in the road and without cause he insulted me. And I could
have killed him!"
"He insulted you?" and she came closer to him. "Insulted you? Then why
didn't you kill him?"
"Because--because--I can't tell you now and you musn't ask."
Away from him she turned her head. "All right, I won't ask."
Margaret came to the door. "Lou, go down to the spring house and fetch
me that jar of butter," and coming into the room as Lou started, she
added, just as Jasper came in. "It's a mighty heavy jar, Mr. Elliott.
You mout go an' help her."
"Oh, may I?" Tom asked of Lou.
"Yes, you may, but--"
"But what?"
"I won't ask you to."
"Oh, you won't have to ask me."
"Well, then, come on."
Jasper looked knowingly at Margaret, who, laughing, went back into the
kitchen and the old man, shaking his head, humorously mused: "Blamed if
I don't wish I could fix up things thatter way." He sat down, took up a
lap-board, and upon it began to cut a piece of leather; but leaving off
the work, gave himself up to deep thought.
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