"
The individual addressed had mingled in none of the gaiety of the hour.
While others fed freely, or joined in the quiet joke, which could escape
the lips of even men chastened as his companions, Eben Dudley had tasted
sparingly of the viands. Nor had the muscles of his hard countenance once
relaxed in a smile. A gravity and silence so extraordinary, in one so
little accustomed to exhibit either quality, did not fail to attract
attention. It was universally ascribed to the circumstance that he had
returned empty-handed from the hunt: and now that one having authority
had seen fit to give such a direction to the discourse, the imaginary
delinquent was not permitted to escape unscathed.
"The butcher had little to do with this day's killing," said one of the
young men; "as a punishment for his absence from the slaughter, he should
be made to go on the hill and bring in the two bucks he will find hanging
from a maple sapling near to the drinking spring. Our meat should pass
through his hands in some fashion or other, else will it lack savor.
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