Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/316

300 As Robert began to lead his horse to the stall, he looked up quickly when he heard the voice of Hannah herself.

"It was breakfast, young man, not dinner, I promised to get you."

"It's too bad, Hannah," laughed Robert. "I did n't know I was so late. I was so interested in what this man—Mr."— "Mr. Beach?"

"Yes, in what Mr. Beach was saying, that I did not know it was noon yet."

"It is n't, but it will be soon."

"I 'll feed my horse and come right up."

"I'm going to wait for you, this time. Mr. Beach," she added, as she turned to the old man, "will you please tell mother that we are ready and she can put the breakfast on the table?"

"Yes, miss, yes."

As the old man departed from the barn, Hannah turned quickly to Robert and said, "There! I 've got rid of him! What has he been saying to you, Robert?" "He's been saying a good many things. He"—

"He's a bad man, Robert! I know he is. I don't know that any good men are left except my father and Joe and the boys."