contempt and toleration.

"Did the coward lay it to her when she gave him the chance?" demanded
Eugene.

"No; she said he wouldn't, to shield her."

Eugene moved his axe suddenly; the lantern-light struck it, and there
was a bright flash of sharp steel in their eyes. "Shield her!" he
cried out, with an oath. "I wish I could meet him in the path once.
I'd give him a taste before they put the rope 'round his neck, the
lying murderer!"

David nodded his head in savage assent.

"What's going to be done with Madelon?" cried Eugene, fiercely.

"I've been thinking--" said his father, slowly.

"No sister of mine shall go about rolling herself in the dust at that
fellow's feet if I can help it."

"I've been thinking--would you lock her in her chamber a spell?"

"Lock Madelon in her chamber! She'd get out or she'd beat her brains
out against the wall."

"I don't know but she would," assented David, perplexedly. "You can't
count on a woman when they rise up. She might go away a spell."