her bundle and spread it out on the
table for the third time. She was all smiles. She was not a bit angry
with the foolish widower. This dogmatic attitude of mind, this
wonderful self-satisfaction, were peculiar to the creature; he
couldn't help it. But it had roused a mischievous spirit in her, and
the temptation was too great to resist. The only thing she regretted
was having let him kiss her, and she at once put up her hand to wipe
the spot where the operation had been performed. At any rate, she had
certainly taken him down a peg or two, and the thought set her in high
good-humor.

Nor could she help wondering at his stupidity in imagining she
couldn't see through his desire for information about children. It was
laughable, coming after Toby's. Oh, these men! They were dear, foolish
creatures. Poor kids, she thought, her mind reverting to Zip's twins.
What had they done to have this pack of foolish people worrying over
them? Were they all going to take a hand in bringing the youngsters
up? Well, anyhow, she pitied them.

She smiled at her thoughts as the busy scissors snipped their way
round the pattern. These men were too funny. First Toby, now
Sandy--who next?

She started and looked up, her scissors poised in the air. The
swing-door had swished open, and Wild Bill stood before her.

"Good sakes!" she cried. "How you scared me!" Then, realizing what lay
before her, she grabbed up her work, and was for returning it to the
cupboard.

But Wild Bill was in a hurry. Besides, he had nothing of the
ingratiating ways of the other men about him. He saw her object, and
stayed her in his own peculiar authoritative fashion.

"Say, you can quit huggin' them fixin's," he cried. "I ain't come
pryin' around a leddy's wardrobe. You ken jest set down with paper an'
ink an' things, an' write down how best Zip's kids can be raised. I'll
git right back for it in ha'f-an-hour."

Nor did he wait for any reply. It was taken for granted that his
demands would be promptly acceded to, and he vanished as abruptly as
he came. The swing-door closed, and Birdie gave a sigh.

"An' him, too," she murmured. "Well, I do declare. It just licks
creation."

But this was a different proposition to either Toby or Sandy. She
sprang to her task for the great Wild Bill in a way that spoke volumes
for her sentimental heart. Wild Bill? Well, she would never have owned
it, but there was just one man in the world that scared Birdie to
death, and