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 of them. Prentiss owned that he had a pain in his back.

"Now we'll hear what's the difficulty," he said. And then he saw two horsemen coming from the north-west. The four of them met just outside the door.

"Thess is the minister, Brother Brandram," said George Higginson.

"Glad to see you, suh," said Bill grimly. "I've got some business for you, suh."

"I shall be glad to know why" began Brandram, but Bill cut him short.

"You'll know soon enough.—Mary!"

His wife came to the door.

"Let out Amandy," said her husband.

"Them as shut her up kin let my da'ter out," said old Mary angrily.

"I'll speak to you later on, woman," said Bill. "George, get off your horse and let Amandy out." George did as he was told. He broke down the nailed batten, and found Amandy with red eyes.

"You're to kem out," said George nervously.