I
were to contribute something for my board and lodging? It would be a
novel experience for me in this house, but I've always been able to
adapt myself to altered circumstances."

She did not expect a hurried and polite disclaimer from her
brother-in-law. Disclaimers of any sort were not in Simon's line. He
merely sent her a chill look as he thrust back from the table and rose
to his feet.

"That is something you can settle with Lucy," he said coldly. "I'm
sorry I can't stay and chat with you a little longer, but I am due to
spend the afternoon at the tannery."

"It's nice to know that you can spend something," she threw after him
sweetly. "Why don't you bring back a hide or two from the vats, Simon?
We might boil them down for soup!"

He glared back at her over his shoulder as he stalked from the room.
Miss Ocky glanced at the faces of the two who remained with her and
gave a contented little chuckle.

"Now, that scene was a bit of honest, downright vulgarity!" she said
cheerfully. "Refreshing once in a while, don't you think?"

"Ocky! I wish you wouldn't poke him up like that."

"Well! Suppose he stops poking me first! I haven't got the patience
of a saint like you, Lucy--and gracious only knows where _you_ get it
from, my poor child! Twenty years ago you'd have taken that plate of
chops and shoved it down his throat." A fleeting recollection
corollary to this thought impelled her to shoot a discontented glance
at her nephew across the table. "What in the world has become of the
Copley spirit?" she demanded bitterly.

"You don't really understand Simon," murmured her sister.

"No," said Miss Ocky grimly, "but I'm beginning to."

They left it at that and withdrew from the dining-room. From his
inconspicuous post near the sideboard, Bates followed the retreating
figure of Miss Ocky with admiring and grateful eyes. Here, he told
himself, was the old Miss Ocky coming to life again, and his heart
rejoiced to think that Simon was in a fair way to get back as good as
he gave. The spirit of the Copleys--aye, they had it, every one of
them, if only they would show it now and then!

Lucy Varr departed for the kitchen, possibly to caution the cook
against undue ostentation at dinner, and Copley, obeying an imperious
glance from a pair of gray eyes, followed his aunt to the veranda. She
led the way to one end of it, and there turned the corner into an ell
that had been screened and glassed against t