Harriet had not swooned. Mrs. Floyd had
not undressed her and put her to bed. She had made up the story to
excite his sympathy and gain a point. He groaned as he started on
towards Bradley's. Mrs. Floyd had tried to get Bates to marry the
girl, and now was attempting the same thing with him. And why?
At the gate of Bradley's house he stopped. Through the window he saw
Luke and his wife at supper. They had not waited for him. He would
not go in. He could not eat or talk to them. He wanted to be alone to
decide what course to pursue. He crossed the road and plunged into the
densest part of a pine forest. He came to a heap of pine-needles that
the wind had massed together, and sank down on it, hugged his knees to
his breast, and groaned. He wanted to tell his whole story to some
one--any one who would listen and advise him. He could not decide for
himself--his power of reasoning was gone. Suddenly he rose to his feet
and started up the mountain. Taking a short cut, he reached the
Hawkbill road, and, with rapid, swinging strides, began to climb the
mountain.
Pages:
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318