CHAPTER XIX

rs,andhurledhimthroughthedoorwayandoverthegardenpalingwithaslittleapparenteffortashemighthaveemployedinwhiskingatroublesomekittenoutoftheway. “Thenexttimeyoucomebackhere,”hebellowed,“I’llthrowyouthroughthewindow—andallthebetterifthewindowisshut!Cominghere,thinkingyourselfGodtoputtheworldtorights!” ValancycandidlyandunashamedlyownedtoherselfthatshehadseenfewmoresatisfyingsightsthanUncleJames’coat-tailsflyingoutintotheasparagusbed.Shehadoncebeenafraidofthisman’sjudgment.Nowshesawclearlythathewasnothingbutaratherstupidlittlevillagetin-god. RoaringAbelturnedwithhisgreatbroadlaugh. “He’llthinkofthatforyearswhenhewakesupinthenight.TheAlmightymadeamistakeinmakingsomanyStirlings.Butsincetheyaremade,we’vegottoreckonwiththem.Toomanytokillout.ButiftheycomeherebotheringyouI’llshoo’emoffbeforeacatcouldlickitsear.” ThenexttimetheysentDr.Stalling.SurelyRoaringAbelwouldnotthrowhimintoasparagusbeds.Dr.Stallingwasnotsosureofthisandhadnogreatlikingforthetask.HedidnotbelieveValancyStirlingwasoutofhermind.Shehadalwaysbeenqueer.He,Dr.Stalling,hadneverbeenabletounderstandher.Therefore,beyonddoubt,shewasqueer.Shewasonlyjustalittlequeererthanusualnow.AndDr.StallinghadhisownreasonsfordislikingRoaringAbel.WhenDr.StallinghadfirstcometoDeerwoodhehadhadalikingforlonghikesaroundMistawisandMuskoka.OnoneoftheseoccasionshehadgotlostandaftermuchwanderinghadfalleninwithRoaringAbelwithhisgunoverhisshoulder. Dr.Stallinghadcontrivedtoaskhisquestioninaboutthemostidioticmannerpossible.Hesaid,“CanyoutellmewhereI’mgoing?” “HowthedevilshouldIknowwhereyou’regoing,gosling?”retortedAbelcontemptuously. Dr.StallingwassoenragedthathecouldnotspeakforamomentortwoandinthatmomentAbelhaddisappearedinthewoods.Dr.Stallinghadeventuallyfoundhiswayhome,buthehadneverhankeredtoencounterAbelGayagain. Neverthelesshecamenowtodohisduty.Valancygreetedhimwithasinkingheart.Shehadtoownt