ugh it
were aware of the absurdity of anything so trivial being held in such
high esteem. More of the "calico," which really was an inexpensive but
tasteful chintz, hung against the wall and served to hide from prying
eyes the child's meagre wardrobe, and a bow of it was perkily tied to
the back of the chair.

Donald smiled his amusement and caught an answering grin on Big Jerry's
face. "She haint like we-all," he said. "Wants ter hev bright an' purty
things erbout, an' ..." he lowered his voice, "durned ef she didn't make
me a _necktie_ of thet thar stuff--seen one on a 'furriner' once." The
visitor felt a warm satisfaction over the thought that his own costume
didn't include such excess adornment.

"I put hit on ... once, ter please her, but I reckon hit didn't make
much of a showin' under _this_." He ran his fingers reflectively through
his heavy beard for a moment; then, with his voice still a forte
whisper, he added, "Say, stranger, I've got a leetle drap o' white
liquor hid out in the woodshed whar Smiles kaint find hit, an' ef yo'd
delight ter wet yo'r throat afore she comes back, why ..."

The door flew open with a bang, and Rose and Mike tore in, panting and
a-glitter with diamond drops of rain. Instantly the expression of simple
guile on the old man's face changed so ludicrously to one of overdone
innocence that it was all Donald could do to keep from laughing.

"Storm's a-comin'," cried the girl, gayly, while the dog rushed madly
around the room, with his nose to the floor and barking hilariously,
until his master seized him by the back and held him, squirming. A flash
of distant lightning substantiated the announcement, and a few seconds
later their ears caught the crescendo reverberations of thunder as it
echoed down the valley.

Mike growled uneasily and crouched close to his master's legs, but Rose
ran again to the door and stood, heedless of the rain which beat in
upon her wind-whipped skirt, peering out with evident delight. A still
more vivid, zigzag flash rent the serried masses of black storm-clouds
which were rolling up over the mountain's top, edging the nearer one
with fire, and she laughed merrily and clapped her hands like a child.

"Shet thet door, yo' young vixen," bellowed Big Jerry, plainly
disturbed. The girl obeyed, and gave him a kiss, and the whining dog a
reassuring pat, as she hurried back to finish setting the table--a
simple matter, for there was no spotless damask, glittering