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Updated: June 27, 2025
He brought to mind the chastening he had given the fellow, and how Jinnie had suffered through his brutality. Lafe smiled cordially at the young man and asked him to be seated. "Jinnie's out," stated the cobbler. "I know it!" responded Theodore, taking a chair. "I've come to have a talk with you." Then looking from Mr. Grandoken to Maudlin, he queried, "Will you soon be disengaged?" Lafe nodded.
King explained the accident as best he could, and after he departed Mrs. Grandoken came in with Bobbie clinging to her skirts. Then the story was repeated. "Can't we do something for him, Peg?" pleaded Jinnie. Peg knelt down and examined the animal as it lay on the floor. She would not have admitted for anything that she was disturbed because of Jinnie's fall.
When Lafe, with useless legs, had been brought home to his wife, she had stoically taken up the burden that had been his. At her husband's suggestion that he should cobble, Mrs. Grandoken had fitted up the little shop, telling him grimly that every hand in the world should do its share.
Grandoken couldn't leave the baby with Blind Bobbie, and there was supper to buy. Once more she paced the rooms, then back to the window. She shivered for some unknown reason, and a sharp consciousness of evil suddenly grew out of the lengthening hours.
"I ain't very well, Jinnie darlin'. Would you mind askin' Peggy to come in a minute?" Mrs. Grandoken looked up as the girl came in. "Lafe wants you, Peg. He's sick, isn't he? What happened to him, Peggy?" Bobbie uttered a whining cry. "Jinnie," he called, "Jinnie, come here!" Peg pushed the girl back into the little hall. "You shut up, Bobbie," she ordered, "and sit there!
"Ain't you every day sayin' there's always to-morrow?" This time her voice was toned with finality, and she turned and went out. Virginia and Lafe Grandoken sat for some time with nothing but the tick-tack of the hammer to break the silence. "It bein' the first time you've visited us, kid," broke in the man, pausing, "you can't be knowin' just what's made us live this way."
"I want her always," he said grimly, aloud to himself. A boy's head appeared at the door. "Woman to see you, sir," said he. "Who?" "Mrs. Grandoken." "Show her in," and Theodore stood up. Peggy came in embarrassedly. She had a mission to perform which she very much disliked. "Good morning, Mrs. Grandoken," said Theodore, holding out his hand. "Good morning, sir," said Peg, flushing darkly.
"I only thought of the twenty-five dollars and the fiddling, Peggy," said Jinnie as Mrs. Grandoken rolled her hands in her apron and sat down. "Did you say I couldn't go in these clothes?" "I did; I sure did. You can't go in them clothes, an' what you're goin' to wear is more'n I can make out. I'll have to think.... Just let me alone for a little while."
Lafe nodded as Maudlin stepped into the shop. There was an unusually aggressive expression upon the young wood gatherer's face, and Mr. Grandoken refrained from asking him to sit down. Instead he questioned: "Brought some cobblin'?" "No," said Bates. "Wanted to talk to you; that's all." "Hurry up, then, 'cause I'm busy." "Where's Jinnie?" queried Maudlin. Swift anger changed the cobbler's face.
Then the thought of the cobbler's trial rushed over her. Peggy and the baby were at court with Lafe, of course. Knowing she must face her uncle in the courtroom, she went to Lafe's black box and drew forth the sealed letter her father had sent to Grandoken. This she hid in her dress, and taking Bobbie and the fiddle, she went out and closed the door.
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