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Updated: June 28, 2025
The little hen wove a precarious path through coops of chattering chickens, and Snatchet, bent upon his prey, added to the din. He had no way of knowing the twists and turns to be taken by his small brown victim, and it was only by making sharp corners that Queen Bess kept clear of the snapping teeth. Men were running to and fro for something to beat off the yellow invader.
"We was all hungry," she continued, a dry sob strangling her. "Flukey nor me nor the pig nor Snatchet ain't e't in a long time. We did steal; but if I knowed it were yer house " A quizzical expression flashing into Shellington's eyes stopped her words. "You wouldn't have come in?" he queried. Flea nodded just as Snatchet jumped to the floor with another plump bird between his teeth.
The crouching figure of the scowman became more distinct as he sneaked over the top step and edged toward her. A sudden morbid desire came over the girl to throw herself into the water. She rose unsteadily to her feet, with Snatchet still clutched in her arms. She threw one appealing glance at the tug then, before she could cry out or move, Lem was at her side.
Neither man spoke when she put Snatchet down on the floor and threw back the lovely cloak she had received from Ann at Christmas. Lem's eyes glittered as he looked at it. Before Fledra entered, the scowman had been industriously tacking a sole on a big leather boot, held tightly between his knees.
"Yer pappy says as how I can't marry ye," went on Lem, in the same whisper, "and I don't give a damn about that only, ye don't leave this scow to go to no hut! Ye stay here with me!" Fledra had wedged herself more tightly into the corner, hugging the snarling Snatchet closer. As she backed, the scowman came nearer, his hot breath flooding her face. "Put down that there dorg!" he hissed.
Ann Shellington, like her brother, had never before seen human misery depicted in small lives. At the mention of his dog, Flukey opened his eyes and turned his gaze upward. "Thank ye, Lady," said he, "thank ye for what ye said about Snatchet. Ain't he a pink peach of a dorg, Ma'm?" Ann inclined her head gently, glancing dubiously over the yellow pup.
"I'm going away, but I will love you every day I live. Floyd, could you ask Sister Ann to pray for everyone me, too? Forgive me for taking Snatchet I wanted him awfully. You be good to Sister Ann and always love Brother Horace and mind every word he says. I'm going away because I want to. Remember that, Floyd dear, goodby.
Much as she dreaded the wrath of Cronk, much more did she fear Crabbe's eyes, when, half-covered with squinting lids, they pierced her like gimlets. Snatchet was her only comfort, and she lavished infinite affection upon him. Night crowded the day from over Cayuga, and still Fledra and Snatchet remained in the corner, near the top of the stairs.
A gentle, sympathetic touch of a warm tongue made her put out her arms and draw Snatchet into them. It comforted her to feel the faithful heart beating against her own. That Lon disliked to have her and Flukey about him, she knew; but she had not known until today that he hated her. He had never before told her so.
"Granny's put me to bed many a time, and no supper. Get along, will ye?" "Yep, I'm goin'; but I can't leave Snatchet. We can take my dorg, Flea. Where's he gone?" "We'll take him," promised Flea. "He's in the wood-house. Scoot and get the duds and him!" The boy toiled up the rocks to the top of the cave, and Flea heard his departing steps for a moment, then seated herself in tremulous fear.
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