The rain was still dripping from her wet cloak as she swung it from her shoulders.
"I know it all!--all that's happened," she burst out with half-girlish exuberance and half the actress's declamation.

"We met them all in the road--posse and prisoners.

Chief Thompson knew me and told me all.

And so you've done it--and you're master in your old house again.

Clarence, old boy! Jim said you wouldn't do it--said you'd weaken on account of her! But I said 'No.' I knew you better, old Clarence, and I saw it in your face, for all your stiffness! ha! But for all that I was mighty nervous and uneasy, and I just made Jim send an excuse to the theatre and we rushed it down here! Lordy! but it looks natural to see the old house again! And she--you packed her off with the others--didn't you?
Tell me, Clarence," in her old appealing voice, "you shook her, too!" Dazed and astounded, and yet experiencing a vague sense of relief with something like his old tenderness towards the willful woman before him, he had silently regarded her until her allusion to his wife recalled him to himself.
"Hush!" he said quickly, with a glance towards the corridor.
"Ah!" said Susy, with a malicious smile, "then that's why Captain Pinckney was lingering in the rear with the deputy." "Silence!" repeated Clarence sternly.