some sort of an answer pretty soon, won't we? He'll be wantin' to know
afore long."

"Know? Know what?"

"Why--why whether we're goin' to say yes or no to what Marcellus asked
us in that letter."

"He does know. Fur's I'm consarned, he knows. I spoke my mind plain
enough to pound through anybody's skull, I should think."

"Yes--yes, I know you did. But, Shadrach, if she don't stay here for
good where will she stay? She ain't got anybody else to go to."

"She is stayin', ain't she? She--she's makin' us a visit, same as I said
she could. What more do you want? Jumpin' fire! This fix is your doin'
anyway. 'Tain't mine. If you had paid attention to what I said, the
child wouldn't have been here at all."

"Now, Shadrach! You know you was the one that would fetch her over that
very day."

"Oh, blame it onto me, of course!"

"I ain't blamin' anybody. But she's here and we've got to decide whether
to send her away or not. Shall we?"

They were interrupted by Mary-'Gusta herself, who entered the barn,
where the discussion took place, a doll under one arm and a very serious
expression on her face.