CHAPTER XVII

ack.” DuringthedayAbelwasgenerallyawayfromhome—ifnotworking,thenshootingorfishingwithBarneySnaith.Hegenerallycamehomeatnights—alwaysverylateandoftenverydrunk.Thefirstnighttheyheardhimcomehowlingintotheyard,CissyhadtoldValancynottobeafraid. “Fatherneverdoesanything—hejustmakesanoise.” Valancy,lyingonthesofainCissy’sroom,whereshehadelectedtosleep,lestCissyshouldneedattentioninthenight—Cissywouldneverhavecalledher—wasnotatallafraid,andsaidso.BythetimeAbelhadgothishorsesputaway,theroaringstagehadpassedandhewasinhisroomattheendofthehallcryingandpraying.Valancycouldstillhearhisdismalmoanswhenshewentcalmlytosleep.Forthemostpart,Abelwasagood-naturedcreature,butoccasionallyhehadatemper.OnceValancyaskedhimcoolly: “Whatistheuseofgettinginarage?” “It’ssuchad——drelief,”saidAbel. Theybothburstoutlaughingtogether. “You’reagreatlittlesport,”saidAbeladmiringly.“Don’tmindmybadFrench.Idon’tmeanathingbyit.Jesthabit.Say,Ilikeawomanthatain’tafraidtospeakuptome.Sistherewasalwaystoomeek—toomeek.That’swhyshegotadrift.Ilikeyou.” “Allthesame,”saidValancydeterminedly,“there