Another
moment, and the form left the concealing shadow, and, in the bright
moonlight, he recognized Judy.
At first, the man's feeling was that of annoyance. He did not wish to be
disturbed at such a time by the presence of the mountain girl. But
his habitual gentleness toward poor Judy, together with a very natural
curiosity as to why she was following him at that time of the night,
when he had supposed her in bed and asleep, led him to greet her kindly
as he came from behind the tree: "Well, Judy, are you, too, out enjoying
the moonlight?"
The girl stopped suddenly and half-turned as if to run; but, at his
words, stood still.
"What is it, Judy?" he asked, going to her. "What is the matter?"
"There's a heap the matter!" she answered, regarding him with that sly
oblique look; while Brian noticed a feeling of intense excitement in her
voice. "I don't know what you-all are a-goin' ter think of me, but
I'm bound ter tell you just the same,--seems like I got ter,--even if
you-all was ter lick me for hit like pap used ter."
"Why, Judy, dear," the puzzled man returned, soothingly, "you know I
would never strike you, no matter what you did. Come, sit down here on
this log, and tell me about whatever it is that troubles you; then you
can go back to sleep again."
"I ain't a-wantin' ter set down. I ain't been asleep. Hit seems like
I can't never sleep no more.
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