d David have left her so long--so
long! The first reproach against him entered her heart, and at the same
time she reasoned with herself.

He could not help it--surely he could not. He was good and true, and
they should all know it if she had to lie for it. When she had sobbed
herself into a measure of calmness, she heard a step cross the cabin
floor. Quickly drying her tears, she rose and stood in the doorway of
the canvas room, with dilated eyes and indrawn breath, peering into' the
dusk, barring the way. It was only her mother.

"Why, mothah!" she cried, relieved and overjoyed.

"Have you seen Frale?"

"Yes, mothah. He was here. Sit down and get your breath. You have
climbed too fast."

Her mother dropped into a chair and placed a small bundle on the table
at her side.

"What-all is this Frale say you have told him? Have David writ fer you
like Frale say? What-all have Frale been up to now? He come down
creepin' like he a half-dade man--that soft an' quiet."

"I'm going to David, mother. You know he sent me money to use any way I
choose, and I'm going." She caught her breath and faltered.

The mother rose and took her in her arms, and, drawing her head down to
her wrinkled cheek, patted her softly.

"Thar, honey, thar. I reckon your ol' maw knows a heap more'n you think.
You keep mighty still, but you can't fool her."

Cassandra drew herself together. "Why didn't Martha come up this
evening?"

"She war makin' ready, in her triflin' slow way, an' then Frale come
down an' said that word, an' I knew right quick 'at ther war somethin'
behind--his way war that quare--so I told Marthy to set him out a good
suppah, an' I'd stop up here myself this night. She war right glad to do
hit. Fool, she be! I could see how she went plumb silly ovah Frale all
to onc't."

"Mothah, you know right well what they're saying about David and me. Is
it true, that word Frale said, that everyone says he nevah will come
back?" The mother was silent. "That's all right, mothah. We'll pack up
to-night, and I'll go down to Farington to-morrow. Mrs. Towahs will help
me to start right."

She lighted candles and began to lay out her baby's wardrobe. "I haven't
anything to put these in, but I can carry everything I need down there
in baskets, and she will help me. They've always been that good to
me--all my life."

"Cass, Cass, don't go," wailed her mother. "I'm afraid somethin'll
happen you if you go that far away. If you could leave