第39章 CHAPTER VII(8)

"Kate Comstock,you think you are mighty smart,don't you?"she cried.

"I ain't in the lunatic asylum,where you belong,anyway,"said Mrs.Comstock."I am smart enough to tell a dandy boy when I see him,and I'm good and glad to get him.I'll love to have him!""Well,you won't have him!"exclaimed Margaret Sinton.

"That boy is Wesley's!He found him,and brought him here.

You can't come in and take him like that!Let go of him!""Not much,I won't!"cried Mrs.Comstock."Leave the poor sick little soul here for you to beat,because he didn't know just how to handle things!Of course,he'll make mistakes.He must have a lot of teaching,but not the kind he'll get from you!Clear out of my way!""You let go of our boy,"ordered Margaret.

"Why?Do you want to whip him,before he can go to sleep?"jeered Mrs.Comstock.

"No,I don't!"said Margaret."He's Wesley's,and nobody shall touch him.Wesley!"Wesley Sinton appeared behind Margaret in the doorway,and she turned to him."Make Kate Comstock let go of our boy!"she demanded.

"Billy,she wants you now,"said Wesley Sinton."She won't whip you,and she won't let any one else.You can have stacks of good things to eat,ride in the carriage,and have a great time.Won't you stay with us?"Billy drew away from Mrs.Comstock and Elnora.

He faced Margaret,his eyes shrewd with unchildish wisdom.

Necessity had taught him to strike the hot iron,to drive the hard bargain.

"Can I have Snap to live here always?"he demanded.

"Yes,you can have all the dogs you want,"said Margaret Sinton.

"Can I sleep close enough so's I can touch you?""Yes,you can move your lounge up so that you can hold my hand,"said Margaret.

"Do you love me now?"questioned Billy.

"I'll try to love you,if you are a good boy,"said Margaret.

"Then I guess I'll stay,"said Billy,walking over to her.

Out in the night Elnora and her mother went down the road in the moonlight;every few rods Mrs.Comstock laughed aloud.

"Mother,I don't understand you,"sobbed Elnora.

"Well,maybe when you have gone to high school longer you will,"said Mrs.Comstock."Anyway,you saw me bring Mag Sinton to her senses,didn't you?""Yes,I did,"answered Elnora,"but I thought you were in earnest.So did Billy,and Uncle Wesley,and Aunt Margaret.""Well,wasn't I?"inquired Mrs.Comstock.

"But you just said you brought Aunt Margaret to!""Well,didn't I?"

"I don't understand you."

"That's the reason I am recommending more schooling!"Elnora took her candle and went to bed.Mrs.Comstock was feeling too good to sleep.Twice of late she really had enjoyed herself for the first in sixteen years,and greediness for more of the same feeling crept into her blood like intoxication.As she sat brooding alone she knew the truth.She would have loved to have taken Billy.

She would not have minded his mischief,his chatter,or his dog.

He would have meant a distraction from herself that she greatly needed;she was even sincere about the dog.

She had intended to tell Wesley to buy her one at the very first opportunity.Her last thought was of Billy.

She chuckled softly,for she was not saintly,and now she knew how she could even a long score with Margaret and Wesley in a manner that would fill her soul with grim satisfaction.