The blunt club of the lumberman's speech was scarcely a match for
the sharp rapier of Raffer's tongue. As the crowd laughed it was
evident that the fox-faced man was getting the verbal best of the
controversy.
Nan's ears burned and tears stood in her eyes. Uncle Henry
descended to personal threats and the smaller man called out:
"You jest put your hand on me, you big, overgrown sawney! That's
all I'm a-waitin' for. You 'tack me and I'll have you in the
caboose, sure's my name's Gedney Raffer. Try it!"
The quarrel was most distressing. Nan pulled at her uncle's coat
sleeve. The rough men eyed her curiously. She had never felt so
ashamed in her life.
"Do come, Uncle Henry," she whispered. "I'm cold."
That statement started the fuming giant at once. Nan's
sensitiveness to a rude quarrel did not impress the man; but her
sensitiveness to the weather shocked him immediately.
"My goodness, girl! We'll go right up to the hotel," he said,
kindly. "Any of you fellows seen Rafe or Tom in town this
morning with the sled and roans?"
"Hey, Hen!" cried the station master, waving a yellow paper.
"Here's a telegraph despatch for you."
It was really for Nan, and from Papa Sherwood filed just before
the Afton Castle sailed from New York:
"Momsey and papa send love and kisses.
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