."

"It looks that way," said Josie calmly; "but you needn't be afraid of
_me,_ Ingua. You and I could know a lot of things, together, and keep
'em to ourselves. Don't you think I'm a good enough friend not to get
you choked or killed by telling any secrets you confided to me? And--
look here, Ingua--this secret is worrying you a good deal."

"Who says so?"

"I do. You'd feel a heap better if you told me about it, for then we
could talk it over together when we're alone."

Ingua sat down beside her, gazing thoughtfully at the river.

"You'd tell Mary Louise."

"You know better than that. A secret's a secret, isn't it? I guess I
can keep my mouth shut when I want to, Ingua."

Josie had a way of imitating Ingua's mode of speech when they were
together. It rendered their intercourse more free and friendly. But the
girl did not reply at once. She sat dreamily reflecting upon the
proposition and its possible consequences. Finally she said in a
hesitating way:

"I wisht I knew what ter do. I sometimes think I orter tell somebody
that knows more'n I do, Josie, if I ever blab at all."

"Try me, Ingua. I'm pretty smart, 'cause I've seen more of the big
world than you have, and know what goes on in the big, busy cities,
Where life is different from what it is in this little place. I've
lived in more than one city, too, and that means a lot of experience
for a girl of my age. I'm sure I could help you, dear. Perhaps, when
I've heard your story, I will tell you never to say anything about it
to anyone else; and then, on the other hand, I might think differently.
Anyhow, I'd never tell, myself, any secret of yours, whatever I might
think, because I'd cut off my right hand rather than get you into
trouble."

This dramatic speech was intended to appeal to the child's imagination
and win her full confidence. In a way, it succeeded. Ingua sidled
closer to Josie and finally said in a trembling whisper:

"Ye wouldn't git Gran'dad inter trouble either, would ye?"

"Do you like him, Ingua?"

"I hate him! But he's a Cragg, an' I'm a Cragg, an' the Craggs kin
stand up an' spit at the world, if they wants to."

"That's right," agreed Josie, emphatically. "We've got to stick up for
our own families and fight for our good name when it's necessary. Do
you think I'd let anybody get the best of a Jessup? Never in a thousand
years!"

Ingua nodded her head as if pleased.

"That's the way I look at it, Josie. Ev'rybody's down on O