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154 formerly been among his warmest partisans. “He should have kept watch on Peter and found out how the business was being run. Well, Sara, you were the level-headest of us all — I'll admit that now. A nice mess it would be if you were married or engaged to Lige, and him left without a cent — even if he can clear his character!”

“There is a good deal of talk about Peter, and swindling, and a lawsuit,” said Mrs. George Pye, quilting industriously. “Most of the Newbridge folks think it’s all Peter’s fault, and that Lige isn’t to blame. But you can’t tell. I dare say Lige is as deep in the mire as Peter. He was always a little too good to be wholesome, I thought.”

There was a clink of glass at the cupboard, as Sara set the tray down. She came forward and stood behind Mrs. Rachel Lynde’s chair, resting her shapely hands on that lady’s broad shoulders. Her face was very pale, but her flashing eyes sought and faced defiantly Mrs. George DPye’s cat-like orbs. Her voice quivered with passion and contempt.

“You'll all have a fling at Lige Baxter, now that he’s down. You couldn't say enough in his praise, once. I'll not stand by and hear it hinted that Lige Baxter is a swindler. You all know perfectly well that Lige is as honest as the day, if he is so unfortunate as to have an unprincipled brother. You, Mrs. Pye, know it better than any one, yet you come here