"A pretty tough proposition for clearing and ploughing," said Bles, with
practised eye. But Zora eagerly surveyed the prospect.
"It's where the Dreams lives," she whispered.
Meantime Miss Taylor had missed her brooch and searched for it in vain.
In the midst of this pursuit the truth occurred to her--Zora had stolen
it. Negroes would steal, everybody said. Well, she must and would have
the pin, and she started for Elspeth's cabin.
On the way she met the old woman in the path, but got little
satisfaction. Elspeth merely grunted ungraciously while eyeing the white
woman with suspicion.
Mary Taylor, again alone, sat down at a turn in the path, just out of
sight of the house, and waited. Soon she saw, with a certain grim
satisfaction, Zora and Bles emerging from the swamp engaged in earnest
conversation. Here was an opportunity to overwhelm both with an
unforgettable reprimand. She rose before them like a spectral vengeance.
"Zora, I want my pin."
Bles started and stared; but Zora eyed her calmly with something like
disdain.
"What pin?" she returned, unmoved.
"Zora, don't deny that you took my pin from the desk this afternoon,"
the teacher commanded severely.
"I didn't say I didn't take no pin."
"Persons who will lie and steal will do anything."
"Why shouldn't people do anything they wants to?"
"And you knew the pin was mine.
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