"Is there any 'ope?" asked Mr. Gage.
"Of course there is hope!" exclaimed Jethro vehemently. "Scobee's condition is but a passing thing. He'll only be blind temporarily. Just nervous reaction."
"Even that is bad enough," Mr. Gage reflected. "I feel sorry fer the boy. Nice lad. Didn't know him so well. Always sort o' dreamy I thought. Like 'is mother was. Still we all got troubles. Many are worse'n 'is. Take fer instance the case o' ole Lindy Joel. Poor ole colored mammy what lives 'bout a dozen mile or so down the road. Mighty sad case 'ers. Why, she 'ad little bit o' farm. 'Ouse not much bigger'n a shack. An' she 'ad one boy what thought 'is mammy was jus"bout everythin'. Wanted to make a swell farm fer 'er. Wanted she should be rich. Wanted she should even 'ave kid gloves to wear. Thought kid gloves was a emblem o' respec'ability. The boy's name was Enoch and that colored mammy was very 'appy. She used to watch 'er boy workin' in the fields. 'E were a good
worker an' made quite a nice farm o' it. Then
