"Yes, he did, some time before nine; he had plenty of time to go home
if he wanted to."

"Where was he, then, I'd like to know?"

"I don't know, and I wouldn't lift my finger to find out. I am not
afraid he was anywhere he hadn't ought to be, nor doin' anything he
hadn't ought to."

"Didn't you stand out in the road and call him back, and he wouldn't
come, nor even turn his head to look at you?" asked Deborah.

"Yes, I did," returned Charlotte, unflinchingly. "And I don't blame
him for not coming back and not turning his head. I wouldn't if I'd
been in his place."

"You'll have to uphold him a long time, then; I can tell you that,"
said Deborah. "He won't never come back if he's said he won't. I know
him; he's got some of me in him."

"I'll uphold him as long as I live," said Charlotte.

"I wonder you ain't ashamed to talk so."

"I am not."

Deborah looked at Charlotte as if she would crush her; then she
turned away.