Page:Milady at Arms (1937).pdf/307

 now!—circulating the throng, there will be none who dare to bid against ye!"

"Aye?" Mistress Williams gazed eagerly after the blue-clad figure which, musket in elbow-crook, had just brushed past her. She turned relievedly to Sally. "Ye be right," she said smilingly. Tis good news, indeed, ye do bring me!"

Now there was stir among the crowd. Everyone commenced to move toward the kitchen door as it opened, and Master Hedden, followed by John Alling and Captain Littell, came out and established himself upon the doorstep. There was a suppressed murmur of excitement through the gathering. Sally, who stood to one side, in the foreground, with Mistress Williams and her friend and Uzal, glanced inquiringly around for Zenas; but she did not see him until the vendue was formally declared open by Master Hedden. Then she saw the boy at a distance, stalking after that same ancient hag who had appeared in the kitchen door and who now hurried from the direction of the barn with surprising agility and speed for one so old. Reaching the throng, the old woman melted into its outskirts, and Zenas, glimpsing Sally's beckoning finger, came around the edge of the crowd and stood, his arms belligerently folded, beside his mother.

Sally longed to whisper in his ear, so set and grim was his pale young face; but she did not dare,