He had pushed his way through the crowd, down the aisle, and now stood before the gesticulating Mr.
Simpson, who shrank back as if he feared that the treatment accorded the "poor weak invalid" might be continued with him.
"Knowles," said Captain Cy, turning to the moderator, "let me speak, will you?
I won't be but a minute.

Friends," he continued, facing the excited gathering--"for some of you are my friends, or I've come to think you are--a part of what this man says is so.

The girl at my house is Emily Thomas; her mother was Mary Thomas, who some of you know, and her father's name is Henry Thomas.

She came to me unexpected, bein' sent by a Mrs.Oliver up to Concord, because 'twas either me or an orphan asylum.

I took her in meanin' to keep her a little while, and then send her away.