Come, child; tell me what is the trouble." At the kindly manner and voice of the old gentlewoman, those black eyes filled with tears, which, for the moment, the mountain girl stoically permitted to roll down her thin sallow cheeks unheeded.

Then, with a quick resolute jerk of her twisted body, she drew her dress sleeve across her face, and said: "I--I--reckon I couldn't hate myself no worse'n I'm a-doin'.

Hit seems like I been mighty nigh plumb crazy; but, I just naturally had ter come back an' tell you-all, 'cause you-all been so good ter me." She placed a chair for Auntie Sue, and added: "You-all best make yourself comfertable, though, ma'm.

I'm mighty nigh tuckered out myself.
Hit's a right smart way from where pap's a-livin' ter here, an' I done come in a hurry." She dropped down on the floor, her back against the bed, and clasped her knees in her hands, as Auntie Sue seated herself.
"Begin at the beginning, Judy, and tell me exactly what has happened," said Auntie Sue.
"Yes, ma'm, I will,--that's what I was aimin' ter do when I made up ter come back." And she did.

Starting with her observation of Brian and Betty Jo, and her conviction of their love, she told of her interview with Brian the night she warned him not to let Betty Jo return, and finished with the account of her attack on Betty Jo that morning.
Auntie Sue listened with amazement and pity.