Hugh walked across several fields, and when he came to a small stream,
sat down on the bank and put on his shoes. "I've had my chance and missed
it," he thought bitterly. Several times he repeated the words. "I've had
my chance and I've missed," he said again as he stopped by a fence that
separated the fields in which he had been walking. At the words he stopped
and put his hand to his throat. A half-stifled sob broke from him. "I've
had my chance and missed," he said again.
CHAPTER XIX
On the day after the feast managed by Tom and Jim, it was Tom who brought
Hugh back to live with his wife. The older man had come to the farmhouse on
the next morning bringing three women from town who were, as he explained
to Clara, to clear away the mess left by the guests. The daughter had been
deeply touched by what Hugh had done, and at the moment loved him deeply,
but did not choose to let her father know how she felt. "I suppose you got
him drunk, you and your friends," she said. "At any rate, he's not here."
Tom said nothing, but when Clara had told the story of Hugh's
disappearance, drove quickly away. "He'll come to the shop," he thought and
went there, leaving his horse tied to a post in front. At two o'clock his
son-in-law came slowly over the Turner's Pike bridge and approached the
shop. He was hatless and his clothes and hair were covered with dust, while
in his eyes was the look of a hunted animal.
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