battled for more and "pop" flew the cork and
back leaped Sally.

"Gawd!" she gasped. "I sho' didn't think yo' would take it
that-er-way. I was only foolin'!"

Sally had made great strides. She could laugh and joke with assurance
in her heart. Sandy Morley had promised that she might have a home to
the end of her days in Martin's cabin--the glorified cabin--and Sally,
like many another, was learning to trust Sandy as no one had ever been
trusted in Lost Hollow before. Sally rarely gave expression to her
sentiments; she did not mean to permit the child whom she had helped
Martin bring through his "teething," and whom she had spanked many a
time, to get the upper hand; but she prayed by her very comfortable bed
in the loft over the living-room that she might cook to Sandy's liking
and prove herself worthy the blessing God bestowed upon her in her old
age.

Glaring at the stove and not daring to risk another outburst of
indignation, Sally stood helpless when Sandy entered the sunny kitchen.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"Dat stove done have a real human sense," Sally replied; "an open fire
we-all can reckon with an' keep an eye on, but yo' shet fire up in a
packin' box an' who knows what's goin' on in its min'?"

Sandy laughed, put the lid in its place and sat on the table, swinging
one long leg comfortably. He gloried in the element of home that he
had brought about him and to see Sally in the kitchen always gave him a
distinct thrill.

"Make some gingerbread for supper," he pleaded, "and give me the
lickings, Sally. Do you know I never had lickings until I went to
Massachusetts."

"Lands! Sandy Morley, I don' gave you millions mysef! Yo' pa was
allas fur lettin' yo' off, but I lathered yo' mo'n once, chile, an' so
saved yo' fo' yo' luck."

"I mean 'leavings' in the bowl when the cake's ready for the oven.
Come Sally, let me help you get things together. Molasses, spices,
milk----"

"I'll get the res'. Now, son, do tackle this yere can o' risin'
powder. Take this yere Handy Andy an' pry the kiver. Seems like these
new-fangled cookin' yarbs is put up jes' ter try the patience ob de
saints."

Sandy took the instrument, and utilizing one of its many powers,
loosened the cover and handed the baking powder to Sally.

"I wonder how you ever kept your hand in at cooking?" he said musingly
as he reflected upon the past. But Sally was on guard.

"Lor, chile! an' why not? Ain't I allas had my own