Well, Sara, you were the
level-headest of us all--I'll admit that now. A nice mess it
would be if you were married or engaged to Lige, and him left
without a cent--even if he can clear his character!"
"There is a good deal of talk about Peter, and swindling, and a
lawsuit," said Mrs. George Pye, quilting industriously. "Most of
the Newbridge folks think it's all Peter's fault, and that Lige
isn't to blame. But you can't tell. I dare say Lige is as deep
in the mire as Peter. He was always a little too good to be
wholesome, _I_ thought."
There was a clink of glass at the cupboard, as Sara set the tray
down. She came forward and stood behind Mrs. Rachel Lynde's
chair, resting her shapely hands on that lady's broad shoulders.
Her face was very pale, but her flashing eyes sought and faced
defiantly Mrs. George Pye's cat-like orbs. Her voice quivered
with passion and contempt.
"You'll all have a fling at Lige Baxter, now that he's down. You
couldn't say enough in his praise, once. I'll not stand by and
hear it hinted that Lige Baxter is a swindler. You all know
perfectly well that Lige is as honest as the day, if he IS so
unfortunate as to have an unprincipled brother. You, Mrs. Pye,
know it better than any one, yet you come here and run him down
the minute he's in trouble. If there's another word said here
against Lige Baxter I'll leave the room and the house till you're
gone, every one of you.
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