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George Tucker knew it all without telling; and so did half a dozen of the Westbury boys, who haunted the picket fence round 'Zekiel's garden every moonlight night in summer, or scraped their feet by the half hour together on his door-step in winter evenings.
I a'n't a-goin' ter stand in the way of yer dooty!" Sally was too far away to hear, or she might have smiled. Uncle Zeke and Aunt Poll were to be told and coaxed into assent; no very hard task; for George Tucker was a favorite of 'Zekiel's, and now he had turned rebel, the only grudge he had ever owed him was removed; he was only too glad to help him in any way.
'Zekiel's favourite place to play in was Granny Pyetangle's cottage doorway. A board had been put up to prevent him rolling out on to the cobblestone pavement; and this board though very irritating to 'Zekiel in many ways as preventing him from straying down the road and otherwise enjoying himself was yet not to be despised, as he soon discovered, when he was learning to walk.
"It's wonderful, the fancy that child has taken to me and mine," she thought. "Well, folks must be humored when they're sick," she replied. "Let me see," looking at the little clock, "yes, Mr. Evringham's missed the second train. There'll be five or ten minutes yet, and 'Zekiel's got to wait anyway. I guess he can come up and see you." "Oh, thank you, Mrs. Forbes!" returned Jewel.
On 'Zekiel's return to the barn he saw that his mother's face was portentous. "Lawrence was at least handsome like his father," she began without preamble, looking over Zeke's shoulder, "but Harry was as homely as he was no account. I should think that man had enough of his sons' belongings hanging on him already. What do you think, 'Zekiel Forbes? Mr.
"It isn't smugglers. It's the dogs galloping to the meeting place," said the china dog, who seemed able to read 'Zekiel's thoughts in a very unnatural manner. They soon left the rough pathway they had been following, and 'Zekiel, clinging to the china dog's paw, found himself in the densest part of the wood, which was only dimly lighted by a few scattered moonbeams.
Nathaniel Sawyer made two visits each year to Fernborough to learn of her grandson's progress. Thanksgiving he passed at his Uncle 'Zekiel's where he had eagerly watched the growth of the turkey that was destined to grace the festal board on that day. At Christmas he went to Boston and returned laden with gifts, many of which were immediately donated to his cousins and Mandy Maxwell's children.
As he handed it over the low hedge that separated the two gardens he felt a proud boy, but Eli did not appear so enthusiastic as 'Zekiel expected. He said that "chaney dogs was more for Grannies nor for lads," and that if he had been in 'Zekiel's place he would have chosen a fine peg-top. Poor 'Zekiel was disappointed. The tears gathered in his eyes.
Pyetangle shall take you home." He beckoned to 'Zekiel's dog, who came up rather sulkily and 'Zekiel found himself outside the magic circle, and well on his way home, almost before he could realize that they had started! As he entered Granny Pyetangle's little garden, he saw that a light was still burning in her attic. He went softly into the kitchen.
Every day she was able to do a little more, and 'Zekiel's triumph was complete when he was allowed to help her down the stairs into the kitchen, and seat her quavering, but happy, on the great chair in the chimney corner. "Well, it do seem pleasant to be about agin," said Granny Pyetangle, smoothing her white linen apron. "No'but you have kept the place clean, 'Zekiel, like a good lad.
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