gentle old hand lightly on his arm.

"Please, won't you come in, sir? I shall never forgive myself if I let
you go like this."

The man's voice was hoarse and shaking, now, as he answered: "For God's
sake, madam, don't touch me! Let me go! You must! I--I--am not myself!
You might not be safe with me! Ask her--she knows!" He turned to Judy.

"He's done said hit, ma'm," said Judy, in answer to Auntie Sue's
questioning look. "My pap, he was that way when he done smashed me up
agin the wall, when I was nothin' but a baby, an' hit made me grow up
all crooked an' ugly like what I be now."

With one shamed glance at Auntie Sue, the wretched fellow looked down
at the ground. His head drooped forward. His shoulders sagged. His whole
body seemed to shrink. Turning sadly away, he again started back toward
the river.

"Stop!" Auntie Sue's voice rang out imperiously.

The man halted.

"Look at me," she commanded.

Slowly, he raised his eyes. The gentle old teacher spoke with fine
spirit, now, but kindly still: "This is sheer nonsense, my boy. You
wouldn't hurt me. Why, you couldn't! Of course, you are not yourself;
but, do you think that I do not know a gentleman when I meet one?
Come--" She held out her hand.