I knew then that I had hurt him in some way.
"What's the matter with Jim, Mr. Marvin? He seems put out about
something. Did he say anything to you?" I asked, astonished at Jim's
behavior, and anxious for some clew by which to solve its mystery.
"Got one o' his spells on. Gits that way sometimes, and when he does ye
can't git no good out o' him. I want them turnips dug, and he's got to
do it or git out. I ain't hired him to loaf 'round all day with Ruby and
to sulk when she's gone. I'm a-payin' him wages right along, ain't I?"
he added with some fierceness as he stopped at the door. "What he gits
for fixin' the mill ain't nothin' to me--I don't git a cent on it."
III
When the morning came and Jim had not returned I started for the mill. I
found him alone, sitting idly on a bench near the water-wheel. I had
heard the hum of the saw before I reached the dam and knew that he had
finished his work.
"Jim," I said, walking up to him and extending my hand, "if I have done
anything to hurt your feelings, I'm sorry.
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