There was a dozen or so fellows from hereabouts went . We was all standing around chatting when Lincoln Frame drove up full speed and Neil jumped out of his rig . Just bolted into the office , got his ticket and out again , and on to the train without a word to any one , and as black looking as the Old Scratch himself . We was all too surprised to speak till he was gone . Lincoln could n't give us much information . He said Neil had rushed up to their place about dark , looking as if the constable was after him , and offered to sell that black filly of his to Lincoln for sixty dollars if Lincoln would drive him to the station in time to catch the excursion train . The filly was Neil 's own , and Lincoln had been wanting to buy her but Neil would never hear to it afore . Lincoln jumped at the chance . Neil had brought the filly with him , and Lincoln hitched right up and took him to the station . Neil had n't no luggage of any kind and would n't open his mouth the whole way up , Lincoln says . We concluded him and old Thomas must have had a row . D'ye know anything about it ? Or was you so wrapped up in sweethearting that you did n't hear or see nothing else ? '' Eric reflected rapidly . He was greatly relieved to find that Neil had gone . He would never return and this was best for all concerned . Old Robert must be told a part of the truth at least , since it would soon become known that Kilmeny could speak . `` There was some trouble at the Gordon place to-night , Mr. Williamson , '' he said quietly . `` Neil Gordon behaved rather badly and frightened Kilmeny terribly , -- so terribly that a very surprising thing has happened . She has found herself able to speak , and can speak perfectly . ''
Old Robert laid down the piece XXXXX cheese he was conveying to his mouth on the point of a knife and stared at Eric in blank amazement .
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