Explore "Down the Ravine" by Mary Noailles Murfree on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Birt had always been held in high esteem by the men at the tanyard. Suddenly, however, the feeling toward him cooled. He remembered afterward, although at the time he was too absorbed to fully appreciate it, that this change began one day shortly after he had learned of Nate's departure. As he went mechanically about his work, he was pondering futilely upon his friend's mysterious journey, and his tantalizing hopes lying untried in the depths of the ravine. He hardly noticed the conversation of the men until something was said that touched upon the wish nearest his heart.
"I war studyin' 'bout lettin' Birt hev a day off," said the tanner. "An' ye'll bide hyar."