watchin' me
like he come to spy on me, an' he no sooner gone than I seed that thar
Giles Teasley sneakin' 'long the fence lookin' over an' searchin' eve'y
place like he war a-hungerin' fer a sight o' me." He stopped and
swallowed angrily. They had arrived at the trough of running water, and
she breathed easier to find herself so near her haven.

"What have you done with your dog, Frale? You reckon he followed you
off? I haven't seen him since you left."

He released her then and, stooping to the water-pipe, drank a long
draft, and thrust his head beneath it, allowing the water to drench his
thick hair. Then he stood a moment, shaking his curling locks like a
spaniel.

"Wait here. I'll fetch a towel." She hastened within. "Mother, Frale's
come back," she said quietly, not to awaken Hoyle; then returned and
tossed him the towel which he caught and rubbed vigorously over his head
and face.

"Now you are like yourself again, Frale."

"Yas, I'm here an' I'm myself, I reckon. Who'd ye think I be?" He caught
her and kissed her, and, with his arm about her, entered the cabin.

His mood changed with childish ease according to whatever the moments
brought him. Cassandra lighted a candle, for now that the days had grown
warm, the fire was allowed to go out unless needed for cooking. His
stepmother had roused herself and peered at him from out her dark
corner, where little Hoyle lay sleeping soundly in the farther side of
her bed. Frale strode across the uneven floor and kissed her also,
resoundingly. Astounded, she dropped back on her pillow.

"What ails ye, Frale!" The mountain people are for the most part too
reserved to be lavish with their kisses.

"Nothin' ails me. I'm kissin' you fer Cass's sake. Me an' her's goin' to
get jined an' set up togethah. I'm come back fer to marry with her, and
we're goin' ovah t'othah side Lone Pine, an' I'm goin' to build a cabin
thar. That's how I'm kissin' you. Will you have anothah, or shall I give
hit to Cass?"

"You hush an' go 'long," said the mother, half contemptuously.

"Frale's making fool talk, mothah. Don't give heed to him. He's
light-headed, I reckon, and I'm going to get him something to eat right
quick."

"I 'low he be light-headed. Nobody's goin' to git Cass whilst I'm
livin', 'thout he's got more'n a cabin ovah t'othah side Lone Pine.
She's right well off here, an' here she'll 'bide."

Frale turned darkly on the mother. "I reckon you'd bettah give heed to
me mo