On the day preceding that set for the execution, when Edith asked her usual question, "Why did you do it?" Dennin answered, "'Tis very simple.
"Negook," Edith said, "there is to be no trouble for you and your people.
As he talked, Edith wrote his story down, while the Indians listened, and Hans guarded the door for fear the witnesses might bolt.
"Negook and Hadikwan, you have heard the white man's words," Edith said to the Indians.
He turned his head toward Edith. "Read to me," he said, "from the book;" then added, with a glint of playfulness, "Mayhap 'twill help me to forget the bunk."
He reeled back and forth, staggered, and clutched hold of Edith with his bound hands for support.
When Edith put his fur cap on his head and proceeded to pull the flaps down over his ears, he laughed and said:
Edith and Hans walked on either side of him and supported him, the while he cracked jokes and tried to keep them cheerful, breaking off, once, long enough to arrange the forwarding of his share of the gold to his mother in Ireland.
Edith, on the other hand, had realized; but the realization did not make the task any easier.
He bent over so that Edith could adjust the rope about his neck.
"Michael Dennin, have you anything to say?" Edith asked in a clear voice that shook in spite of her.