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 distance into the orchard. The puppy, with short, sharp cries, started off in pursuit of something in the dark.

"Honestly," said Jammery, under his breath, "I think you'll have to take her away till the old woman cools down. She's pretty dangerous. It isn't just what she says—sue does things. You'd hardly believe the way she can act, Mr. Vale. Honestly, she ought to be locked up when she gets these spells. Would you mind showing Mr. Vale your shoulders, Fawnie? If I light a match, I think he can get an idea . . . just loosen your dress."

He struck a light, and Derek, as one in a dream, peered at the girl's shoulder off which she had drawn her loose cotton blouse. "Ah, they scarcely show in this light at all," murmured Jammery, "but move your fingers over them. Feel." He took Derek's hand in his and laid it on her back. Derek, moving his fingers, felt one hot welt after another on the tender flesh. "By God!" he exclaimed, "I'll make that old woman suffer for this. I'll have her arrested."

"No, no," said Jammery, "don't do that. Think of the way she'd talk. She'd tell how you ruined the girl. Everything will be all right if you just keep Fawnie and the baby out of her sight for a few days."

"Very well," said Derek, "I'll take them down to the house now. There's plenty of room. But you tell the old squaw that I won't stand anything more from her. She's got .to behave or to jail she goes. And you may be certain I'll never have her here another year."

"No, of course, not. But Fawnie's a good girl. She'll never make you sorry you protected her. It's art awful thing for a young girl to get walloped like that, so soon after childbirth."

"Stop talking about it," said Derek. It hurt him even