Because before I thought, I had done said ‘and set the house afire.’
And then it was too late.
I had pointed out the smoke, and I had told her about the two fellows named Brown and Christmas that lived out there.
And I could feel her watching me the same as I can you now, and she said,
‘What was the nigger’s name?’
It’s like God sees that they find out what they need to know out of men’s lying, without needing to ask.
And that they don’t find out what they don’t need to know, without even knowing they have not found it out.
And so I don’t know for sure what she knows and what she don’t know.
Except that I have kept it from her that it was the man she is hunting for that told on the murderer and that he is in jail now except when he is out running with dogs the man that took him up and befriended him.
I have kept that from her.”
“And what are you going to do now?
Where does she want to move?”
“She wants to go out there and wait for him.
I told her that he is away on business for the sheriff.
So I didn’t lie altogether.
She had already asked me where he lived and I had already told her.
And she said that was the place where she belonged until he came back, because that is his house.
She said that’s what he would want her to do.
And I couldn’t tell her different, that that cabin is the last place in the world he would want her to ever see.
She wanted to go out there, as soon as I got home from the mill this evening.
She had her bundle all tied up and her bonnet on, waiting for me to get home.
‘I started once to go on by myself,’ she said.
‘But I wasn’t sho I knowed the way.’
And I said
‘Yes; only it was too late today and we would go out there tomorrow,’ and she said,
‘It’s a hour till dark yet.
It ain’t but two miles, is it?’ and I said to let’s wait because I would have to ask first, and she said,
‘Ask who?
Ain’t it Lucas’s house?’ and I could feel her watching me and she said,
‘I thought you said that that was where Lucas lived,’ and she was watching me and she said,
‘Who is this preacher you keep on going to talk to about me?’ ”
“And you are going to let her go out there to live?”
“It might be best.
She would be private out there, and she would be away from all the talking until this business is over.”
“You mean, she has got her mind set on it, and you won’t stop her.
You don’t want to stop her.,”
Byron does not look up.
“In a way, it is his house.
The nighest thing to a home of his own he will ever own, I reckon.
And he is her …”
“Out there alone, with a child coming.
The nearest house a few negro cabins a half mile away.” He watches Byron’s face.
“I have thought of that.
There are ways, things that can be done …”
“What things?
What can you do to protect her out there?”
Byron does not answer at once; he does not look up.
When he speaks his voice is dogged.
“There are secret things a man can do without being evil, Reverend.
No matter how they might look to folks.”