Cheats! People are all cheats, cheats, cheats," he exclaimed.
Into the house, without a pause, without a knock, into poor bewildered Mrs.Carr's presence he strode, the men following fast on his steps, and Mercy unable to pass them.
"Where'll you have it?
Where'll you have it, child?
Bless my soul! where's that girl!" he exclaimed, looking back at Mercy, who stood on the front doorstep, vainly trying to hurry in to explain the strange scene to her mother.

Mrs.Carr was, as usual, knitting.

She rose up suddenly, confused at the strange apparitions before her, and let her knitting fall on the floor.

The ball rolled swiftly towards Mr.Wheeler, and tangled the yarn around his feet.

He jumped up and down, all the while brandishing his cane, and muttering, "Pshaw! pshaw! Damn knitting! Always did hate the sight on't." But, kicking out to the right and the left vigorously, he soon snapped the yarn, and stood free.
"Mother! mother!" called Mercy from behind, "this is the gentleman I told you of,--Mr.Wheeler.