At least, it was some time before she troubled herself to follow me to ascertain if my threat meant anything serious.
When she finally arrived at the large double door, standing wide open for the entrance of the loaded wagons, she gave a sudden shriek.
I was standing on the beam which supported the light flooring of the hay-loft; beneath was the threshing-floor; above me the great rafters of the barn, and around one of these I had fastened a rope, the other terminus of which was knotted about my neck.
I stood ready for the fatal leap.
As she screamed, I slightly raised my hand: "Silence, Aunt Jerusha, and receive my parting instructions.

Tell Blue-Eyes that I love her madly, but not to blame herself for my untimely end.

The ruin of her dress was only the last drop in the cup--the last straw on the camel's back.

Farewell!" and as she threw up her arms and shrieked to me to desist, I rolled up my eyes--and sprang from the beam.
For a moment I thought myself dead.

The experience was different from what I had anticipated.