"
A feeling of manliness kept the mouth of Deerslayer shut; for, while
he would not have hesitated about going far beyond what would be
thought the bounds of propriety, in questioning the older sister,
he had just scruples about taking what might be thought an advantage
of the feeble intellect of the younger. Judith, being under no
such restraint, however, turned quickly to the last speaker and
continued the discourse.
"When and where did you ever see that chest opened, Hetty?"
"Here, and again and again. Father often opens it when you are
away, though he don't in the least mind my being by, and seeing
all he does, as well as hearing all he says."
"And what is it that he does, and what does he say?"
"That I cannot tell you, Judith," returned the other in a low but
resolute voice. "Father's secrets are not my secrets."
"Secrets! This is stranger still, Deerslayer, that father should
tell them to Hetty, and not tell them to me!"
"There's a good reason for that, Judith, though you're not to know
it. Father's not here to answer for himself, and I'll say no more
about it."
Judith and Deerslayer looked surprised, and for a minute the first
seemed pained.
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