Woodburn--" She was most unwilling to say plainly, "Go and warn him."
He started up. "And they mean to take him back?"
She was silent. The indecisions of the habitually decisive are hard to
deal with. The lad was puzzled by her failure to say more.
"It is dreadful, Aunt Ann. I think I ought to go and tell
Josiah--now--to-night."
She made no comment except to say, "Arrest is not possible on Sunday--and
he is safe until Monday or Tuesday."
John Penhallow looked at her for a moment surprised that she did not say
go, or else forbid him to go; it was unlike her. He had no desire to wait
for Sunday and was filled with anxiety. "I think I must go now--now," he
said.
"Then I shall go to bed," she said, and kissing him went away slowly step
by step up the stairs.
Staircases are apt to suggest reflections, and there are various ways of
rendering the French phrase "_esprit de l'escalier_." Aware that want of
moral courage had made her uncertain what to do, or like the Indian,
having two hearts, Ann had been unable to accept bravely the counsel of
either. The loyal decisiveness of a lad of only sixteen years had settled
the matter and relieved her of any need to personally warn Josiah. Some
other influences aided to make her feel satisfied that there should be a
warning.
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