Her father and all her brothers were there.

It was shortly after breakfast, and they had not yet gone out.
"Who was it at the door ?" her father asked.

He sat by the fire in his great boots.
"Margaret Bean." "What did she want ?" "Lot Gordon sent for me to come over there." "What for ?" "He wanted--to--tell me something." "You ain't going a step.

I can tell ye that." "I--told her I couldn't go," said Madelon.

Her voice was almost breathless, and still that red of shame was over her face.