"Well," said Mrs. Putney, "whether he goes or stays, I think we owe him
that much. Don't you, Annie?"
"Oh yes!" sighed Annie, from the exaltation to which the events of the
evening had borne her. "And we mustn't let him go. It would be a loss that
every one would feel; that--"
"I'm tired of this fighting," Mrs. Putney broke in, "and I think it's
ruining Ralph every way. He hasn't slept the last two nights, and he's
been all in a quiver for the last fortnight. For my part I don't care what
happens now, I'm not going to have Ralph mixed up in it any more. I think
we ought all to forgive and forget. I'm willing to overlook everything, and
I believe others are the same."
"You'd better ask Mrs. Gerrish the next time she calls," Putney interposed.
Mrs. Putney stopped, and took her hand from her husband's arm. "Well, after
what Mr. Gerrish said to-night about you, I _don't_ think Emmeline had
better call _very_ soon!"
"Ha, ha, ha! Ha, ha, ha!" shrieked Putney, and his laugh flapped back at
them in derisive echo from the house-front they were passing. "I guess
Brother Peck had better stay and help fight it out. It won't be _all_
brotherly love after he goes--or sisterly either."