A Romance of Billy-Goat Hill

								

Aunt Caroline collect his scattered wardrobe, keeping a vigilant eye
meanwhile upon Miss Lady. He simply did not intend to have her unhappy!
It was preposterous! Altogether out of the question! His little girl
crying around in corners where he couldn't see her? The idea of such a
thing! If she must cry, what was the matter with his shoulder?
“You ain't got but four hankchiefs in de wash, Cunnel,” announced Aunt
Caroline from her knees beside a large wicker basket. “Don't look lak
dat's enough fer a white gem-man to start off on a trip wif.”
“Jimpson,” the Colonel looked up reproachfully, “did you hear that? You
have actually let me get down to four handkerchiefs.”
“And socks,” continued Caroline, enjoying the opportunity of emphasizing
the shortcomings of her lesser half, “'bout sebenteen, all singles. No
two scarcely de same color.”
“Miss Lady, she been 'cumulatin' 'em to darn 'em,” explained Jimpson,
glad to shift responsibility. “She 'low she gwine to tak a day off some
o' dese days, an' mend up ever'thing in de house.”
The Colonel glanced around: “Where is Miss Lady?”
“Out in de hall, readin' de evenin' paper. Nebber did see dat chile tek
so much notice ob de newspaper. Yas, sir, I'll call her.”
“Any later news of the shooting?” asked the Colonel casually, when she
returned.
“Yes, Mr. Dillingham was indicted and arraigned before the court. The
case was passed until June first.”
“And Sheeley? What of his condition?”
“The paper says he will lose his eye, but that he will probably get
well.”
“And--and nothing has been heard of Morley?”
“Not yet.”
After supper, when all the preparations for the trip were completed, and
the cheerful presence of Uncle Jimpson and Aunt Caroline removed, the
Colonel and Miss Lady sat before the dying fire, and tried to make
conversation. Outside wet branches swept the windows, and sudden gusts
of rain beat against the panes.
“Thirty years since I saw some of the old boys,” the Colonel said,
trying to warm up to his coming journey. “I'll miss old Professor
Queerington, but John Jay will be there. We are planning to come home
together. Fine man, he is, fine man!”
“Who? Oh, yes, Doctor Queerington.”
“Just a little boy when I boarded at his father's. He can't be much over
forty now. The smartest man the old college ever turned out! And just as
good as he's smart. A little too much book learning maybe, and not any
too much common sense, but there ain't many heads built to carry both.
He's sound though, sound to the core, and that's saying a good deal
these days. What's the matter? Sleepy?”
“No, just the fidgets. Say, Daddy, what do you suppose they will do with
Mr. Dillingham, if he is convicted?”
“Penitentiary offense, I hear. But Noah says they'll get him off. Old
General Dillingham has plenty of money, and friends at court. He'll take