of manner, of which he was entirely unaware, embarrassed
her; although not shy like her brother, she had never encountered any
one who spoke with such rapid abruptness, and his swift, penetrating
glance and pleasant ease of the world abashed her. For an instant she
stood perfectly still before him, slowly comprehending his thought, then
hastened with her inherited, inborn ladyhood to relieve him from any
sense that his sudden descent upon their privacy was an intrusion.

Her mind moved along direct lines from thought to expression--from
impulse to action. She knew no conventional tricks of words or phrases
for covering an awkward situation, and her only way of avoiding a
self-betrayal was by silence and a masklike impassivity. During this
moment of stillness while she waited to regain her poise, he, quick and
intuitive as a woman, took in the situation, yet he failed to comprehend
the character before him.

To one accustomed to the conventional, perfect simplicity seems to
conceal something held back. It is hard to believe that all is being
revealed, hence her slower thought, in reality, comprehended him the
more truly. What he supposed to be pride and shame over their meagre
accommodations was, in reality, genuine concern for his comfort, and
embarrassment before his ease and ready phrases. As in a swift breeze
her thoughts were caught up and borne away upon them, but after a moment
they would sweep back to her--a flock of innocent, startled doves.

Still holding her candle aloft, she raised her eyes to his and smiled.
"We-uns are right glad you came. If you can be comfortable where we are
obliged to put you to sleep, you must bide awhile." She did not say
"obleeged" this time. He had not pronounced it so, and he must know.

"That is so good of you. And now you are very tired yourself and have
eaten nothing. You must have your own supper. Hoyle can look after me."
He took the candle from her and gave it to the boy, then turned his own
chair back to the table and looked inquiringly at Sally squatted before
the fire. "Not another thing shall you do for me until you are waited
on. Take my place here."

David's manner seemed like a command to her, and she slid into the chair
with a weary, drooping movement. Hoyle stood holding the candle, his wry
neck twisting his head to one side, a smile on his face, eying them
sharply. He turned a questioning look to his sister, as he stiffened
himself to his newly acquired importa