Taking note of her friendly presence, after
awhile he put out his hand without looking up and took hers as it hung
by her side. He had taken quite a liking to the sweet-tempered little
lassie, and had felt particularly kindly towards her since her
well-meaning, if rather inadequate effort to console him that Sunday
behind the barn.
"You're a good little girl, Prudy," he said, "and I know you will take
good care of your father. You can stay here if you want, you know,
after we're gone. I don't think Solomon Gleason or the sheriff will
trouble you. Or you can go to your father's old house. Obadiah says
Gleason has left it. Obadiah will look after you and do any chores you
may want about the house. He'll be very glad to. He thinks a good deal
of you, Obadiah does. I s'pose he'll be wanting you to keep house for
him when you get a little older," and he looked cheerily up at her.
But evidently his little jest had struck her mind amiss. Her eyes were
full of tears and the childish mouth quivered.
"Why what's the matter Prudy?" he asked in surprise.
"I wish you wouldn't talk so to me, now," she said, "as if I didn't
care anything when you're all going away and have been so good to me
and father.
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