I didn't know what to do.

I'd learned enough about this Henry Thomas to know that he was no use, a drunken, good-for-nothin' scamp who had cruelized his wife and then run off and left her and the baby.

But when he come, the very night I got the letter, I gave him a chance.

I took him in; I was willin' to give him a job on the place; I was willin' to pay for his keep, and more.

I DID ask him to keep his mouth shut and even to use another name.