The hush continued for a few seconds. Then Mrs. Whittle spoke.
"There's something wrong about that girl," said she. Other women
echoed her. The room seemed full of feminine snarls.

Jim Dodge turned on them, and his voice rang out. "You are a lot of
cats," said he. "Come on home, mother and Fanny, I am mortal shamed
for the whole of it. That girl's buying to help, when she can't want
the things, and all you women turning on her for it!"

After the Dodges had gone there was another hush. Then it was broken
by a man's voice, an old man's voice with a cackle of derision and
shrewd amusement in it. "By gosh!" said this voice, resounding
through the whole room, "that strange young woman has bought the
whole church fair!"

"There's something wrong," said Mrs. Whittle again.

"Ain't you got the money?" queried the man's voice.

"Yes, but--"

"Then for God's sake hang onto it!"




Chapter III