"
Harriet preceded her to a little room at the head of the stairs. The
girl was drawing up the window-shade to let light into the room when
the old woman spoke. "You are the gal that nussed John Westerfelt
through his spell, I reckon," she said.
Harriet turned to her in surprise. "Yes, he was with us," she replied.
"Do you know him?"
"A sight better 'n you do, I'm a-thinkin'," Mrs. Dawson seated herself,
took off her bonnet, and began nervously folding it on her knee. "But
not better 'n you _will_, ef you don't mind what yo're about."
Harriet flushed in mingled embarrassment and anger. Without replying,
she started to leave the room, but Mrs. Dawson caught the skirt of her
dress and detained her.
"You don't know who I am. I had a daughter--"
"I know all about it." Harriet jerked her skirt from the old woman's
hand and looked angrily into her face. "She drowned herself because he
didn't love her. I do know who you are; you are a devil disguised as a
woman! He may have caused your daughter's death, but he did not do it
intentionally, but you--you would murder him in cold blood if you
could.
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