Benjamin walked close to the well and looked at Seventoes. His small
face was burning red with the heat; his blue eyes gleamed angrily. "You
lazy old cat," said he. He stood a second longer; then he thrust out his
right hand and gave Seventoes a push. There was a piteous yawl and a
great clawing, and Seventoes was out of sight. Benjamin ran. He gasped;
a white streak was settling around his mouth. He was well versed in
Bible stories, and he thought of Cain. What had he done? What would
happen to him? Could he ever get away from his guilt, run fast as he
would? Benjamin ran as he had never run before, his heart pounding,
although he did not know clearly what he was running for. He tore around
the barn, through the pasture bars, towards the house. When he came in
sight of the shed a great qualm of guilt and remorse forced him to
glance up at the place where poor Seventoes had so loved to sit, and
where he would sit no more. Benjamin glanced, then he stood stock-still,
fairly aghast with awe and terror--_there sat Seventoes_!
All the red faded out of Benjamin's cheeks. He had never been encouraged
in superstitious beliefs, but he was an imaginative child, and just now
bewildered and unstrung. He stared at the shed roof. Yes! he saw
Seventoes there, and Seventoes was at the bottom of the old well. Had he
not seen him fall, clawing, down?
Benjamin rushed staggering into the kitchen.
Pages:
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124