"I am making it my business, just the same," returned Brian.

He turned to the girl, who had drawn back a little behind him. "Judy,"
he said, kindly, "I think perhaps you better tell me about this."

"Pap, he was a-layin' for me in the bresh 'cause he dassn't come to the
house ter git me," said the girl, fearfully.

"But, why does he fear to come to the house?" persisted Brian.

"'Cause he done give me ter Auntie Sue."

"Gave you to Auntie Sue?" repeated the puzzled Brian.

Jap Taylor interrupted with, "I didn't sign ary paper, an'--"

"Shut up, you!" snapped Brian. "Go on, Judy."

"Hit was a year last corn-plantin'," explained the girl. "My maw, she
died. He used ter whip her, too. An' Auntie Sue was there helpin' weuns;
an' Tom Warden an' some other folks they was there, too; an' they done
fixed hit so that I was ter go an' live with Auntie Sue; an' pap, he
give me ter her. He sure did, Mr. Burns, an' I ain't a-wantin' ter go
with him, no more."

The poor girl's shrill monotone broke, and her twisted body shook with
her sobs.

"I didn't sign ary paper," repeated Judy's father, with sullen
stubbornness. "An' what's more, I sure ain't a-goin' ter. I 'lows as how