Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/377

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MARTHA
361

her, wondering what the making of maple sugar had to do with him in his present state of misery.

"I told him it would n't be any earthly good," she resumed, "and now he knows I was right. Of course I 've never referred to it, for, of all things, a man does n't like to hear 'I told you so,' least of all from his wife. He built a little sugar-house back in the woods, but he does n't go near it. I'm going to take you there."

"Will it be safe?"

"Safer than as if you were in Fort Montgomery, according to my way of thinking. No one will be likely to come near this place, and I 'll put you there, and look after you, too. Come! We must n't delay, for Tom may come back at any moment now, and what he would say if he should find you here or me taking care of you, I think I can guess. But I don't want to hear it. Come! I 'll help you."

Feebly Robert arose from the couch, but he himself was startled as he discovered how weak he was. It seemed to him shameful to be compelled to lean upon the arm of the woman as he did, but nevertheless he did so. Slowly they made their way out of the house