The Panther 21
knife in his hand an' smilin jest like the kid was doin' . Finally I simply backed out of the room, an' since that day there ain't been man or beast
ever has put a hand on Whistlin' Dan. To this day I reckon he ain't quite forgiven me."
"Why!"she cried,"I have never heard him mention it!"
"That's why I know he's not forgotten it. Anyway, Kate, I locked him in his room, but he wouldn't promise not to run away. Then I got an inspiration. You was jest a little toddlin' thing then. That day you was cryin' an awful lot an' I suddenly thought of puttin' you in Dan's room. I did it. I jest unlocked the door quick and then shoved you in an' locked it again. First of all you screamed terrible hard. I was afraid maybe you'd hurt yourself yellin' that way. I was about to take you out again when all at once I heard Dan start whistlin' and pretty quick your cryin' stopped. I listened an' wondered. After that I never had to lock Dan in his room. I was sure he'd stay on account of you. But now, honey, I'm gettin' to the end of the story, an I'm goin' to give you the straight idea the way I see it.
"I've watched Dan like like a father, almost. I think he loves me, sort of but I've never got over being afraid of him. You see I can't forget
