I have lived, and died, sir,
grateful for your kindness."
There was no more than that. Little as it was, I hadn't manhood enough
to hold up against it. Your tears come easy, when you're young, and
beginning the world. Your tears come easy, when you're old, and leaving
it. I burst out crying.
Sergeant Cuff took a step nearer to me--meaning kindly, I don't doubt. I
shrank back from him. "Don't touch me," I said. "It's the dread of you,
that has driven her to it."
"You are wrong, Mr. Betteredge," he answered, quietly. "But there will
be time enough to speak of it when we are indoors again."
I followed the rest of them, with the help of the groom's arm. Through
the driving rain we went back--to meet the trouble and the terror that
were waiting for us at the house.
CHAPTER XX
Those in front had spread the news before us. We found the servants in
a state of panic. As we passed my lady's door, it was thrown open
violently from the inner side. My mistress came out among us (with Mr.
Franklin following, and trying vainly to compose her), quite beside
herself with the horror of the thing.
"You are answerable for this!" she cried out, threatening the Sergeant
wildly with her hand.
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