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XVIII. An Adventure on the Tory Road
Shehurriedlyunlockedthebackdoor,producedtheaxe,andwithafewskillfullblowssetAnnefree.Thelatter,somewhattiredandstiff,duckeddownintotheinteriorofherprisonandthankfullyemergedintolibertyoncemore.
“MissCopp,”shesaidearnestly.“IassureyouIlookedintoyourpantrywindowonlytodiscoverifyouhadawillow-wareplatter.Ididn’tseeanythingelse—Ididn’tLOOKforanythingelse.”
“Blessyou,that’sallright,”saidMissSarahamiably.“Youneedn’tworry—there’snoharmdone.Thankgoodness,weCoppskeepourpantriespresentableatalltimesanddon’tcarewhoseesintothem.Asforthatoldduckhouse,I’mgladit’ssmashed,formaybenowMarthawillagreetohavingittakendown.SheneverwouldbeforeforfearitmightcomeinhandysometimeandI’vehadtowhitewashiteveryspring.ButyoumightaswellarguewithapostaswithMartha.Shewenttotowntoday—Idrovehertothestation.Andyouwanttobuymyplatter.Well,whatwillyougiveforit?”
“Twentydollars,”saidAnne,whowasnevermeanttomatchbusinesswitswithaCopp,orshewouldnothaveofferedherpriceatthestart.
“Well,I’llsee,”saidMissSarahcautiously.“Thatplatterisminefortunately,orI’dneverdaretosellitwhenMarthawasn’there.Asitis,Idaresayshe’llraiseafuss.Martha’sthebossofthisestablishmentIcantellyou.I’mgettingawfultiredoflivingunderanotherwoman’sthumb.Butcomein,comein.Youmustberealtiredandhungry.
