Tracy begged them to let her go; she did
not want the woman, could not endure the sight of her, and never
wished to hear of her again. Whatever harm was done to her child, was
done. Her child was what she had come in search of, and she had it.
So the group eager to track a kidnapper across fields and along
fence-corners, calmed their zeal and contented themselves with going
outdoors and betting on what direction the fugitive from punishment
had taken.
Perhaps she had grown to love little Rose, and was punished in
having to give her up. In any case, the Pig-headed man and the
various people attached to his show, no more appeared on the track
followed by Grandma Padgett's caravan. Mrs. Tracy would not have him
sought out and arrested, and he only remained in the minds of Robert
and aunt Corinne as a type of monster.
When they left the meeting-house, the weather had changed. People
dismissed from Sunday-school with scanter ceremony than usual, got
into their conveyances to hurry home, for thunder sounded in the
west, and the hot air was already cooled by a rush of wet fragrance
from the advancing rain.
[Illustration: THEY BADE FAIRY CARRIE GOOD-BY.]
It proved to be a quick shower, white and violent while it lasted,
making the fields smoke, and walling out distant views.
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