Cutter had been so insistent in regard to
these details that now she felt uncomfortable
about staying there alone. She hadn't liked
the way he kept coming into the kitchen to
instruct her, or the way he looked at her. "I
feel as if he is up to some of his tricks again,
and is going to try to scare me, somehow."

Grandmother was apprehensive at once.
"I don't think it's right for you to stay there,
feeling that way. I suppose it wouldn't be
right for you to leave the place alone, either,
after giving your word. Maybe Jim would be
willing to go over there and sleep, and you
could come here nights. I'd feel safer, know-
ing you were under my own roof. I guess Jim
could take care of their silver and old usury
notes as well as you could."

Antonia turned to me eagerly. "Oh, would
you, Jim? I'd make up my bed nice and fresh
for you. It's a real cool room, and the bed's
right next the window. I was afraid to leave
the window open last night."

I liked my own room, and I didn't like the
Cutters' house under any circumstances; but
Tony looked so troubled that I consented to
try this arrangement. I found that I slept
there as well as anywhere, and when I got

[[281]]

p280 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p281w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p282

v?