"I heerd of it — that is, I heerd you'd gone up to the
mountain and broke something; I couldn't find out what 'twas;
and then Hephzibah she said she would go down to Melbourne
Sunday. I said to her, says I, 'Hephzibah, I wouldn't go all
that ways, child, for to do nothing; 'tain't likely but that
some part of the story's true, if you and me can't find out
which;' but Hephzibah she took her own head and went; and
don't you think, she came back a cryin'?"
"What was that for?" said Daisy, looking very much interested.
"Why, she couldn't find you, I guess; and she thought you was
killed. But you ain't, be you?"
"Only my foot and ankle hurt," said Daisy, smiling; "and I am
doing very well now."
"And was you broke anywheres?"
"My ankle was broken."
"I declare! And you couldn't be took home?"
"No."
"So the folks said; only they said that young soldier had
killed you. I hope he got hurted himself."
"Why Mrs. Harbonner, _he_ did not do it. It was an accident. It
wasn't anybody's fault."
"It wouldn't ha' happened if _I_ had been there, I can tell
you!" said Hephzibah's mother. "I don't think much of a man if
he ain't up to taking care of a woman; — and a child above
all.
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