Part 29 (2/2)
”All right, John; read to me. I don't know nothin' that'll make me quiet and sleepy so quick as being read to. I can sleep as easy when you're readin' that poetry stuff to me as I can in my bed. Go on; it'll caam my nerves.”
John read to her for half an hour, his voice having the desired effect. Drusilla almost dozed; but when John raised his eyes and, seeing hers closed, stopped reading, Drusilla opened her eyes quickly.
”I ain't all asleep, John, just half,” she said; and John laughed and went on.
They were interrupted by James.
”Miss Doane, some one wishes to speak to you on the telephone.”
”But, James, let 'em talk to you. You know I don't never talk on the telephone.”
”It is some one from the police station, ma'am, and they say they must speak to you particular.”
”From the police station? Laws-a-ma.s.sey! Well, then turn it on here.”
She went over to the telephone table and sat down. Soon John heard:
”What's that you say?”
”Laws-a-ma.s.sey, he's _real!_”
A murmur was heard from the telephone. Then Drusilla, excitedly:
”He has letters and cards that prove that he is the Reverend Algernon Thompson, from Adams, and has given names in New York and you found out he is _real_.”
Again the murmur.
”Wait a minute,” said Drusilla; and turned to John.
”John, I've done it! That man's a preacher, after all, and he says he's goin' to sue me, and--and--John, what'll I do?”
John looked perplexed and ran his hand through his white hair.
”I'm sure I don't know, Drusilla--I'm sure--”
”What'll I do! What'll I do!” wailed Drusilla. ”Just think of putting a preacher in jail. What'll ever become of me!”
Here John had an inspiration.
”Drusilla, send for Mr. Thornton; he is a lawyer and he'll know what to do.”
Drusilla drew a breath of relief.
”John, that's the first glimmer of sense you ever showed, and it's the first time I ever wanted to see that lawyer.” Turning to the telephone she said: ”I'll send for my lawyer at once and he'll know what to do. Where's the man?”
After a moment: ”I'll send a car down and get him. Have him come here at once if he'll come.”
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