"

At first it didn't seem to be. They talked about the weather, the
soil, the team. Laddie scooped a handful of black earth, and holding
it out, told Mr. Pryor all about how good it was, and why, and he
seemed interested. Then they talked about everything; until if he had
been Jacob Hood, he would have gone away. But just at the time when I
expected him to start, he looked at Laddie straight and hard.

"I missed you Sabbath evening," he said.

Then I looked at him. He had changed, some way. He seemed more human,
more like our folks, less cold and stern.

"I sincerely hope it was unanimous," said Laddie.

Mr. Pryor had to laugh.

"It was a majority, at any rate."

Laddie stared dazed. You see that was kind of a joke. An easy one,
because I caught it; but we were not accustomed to expecting a jest
from Mr. Pryor. Not one of us dreamed there was a joke between his hat
crown and his boot soles. Then Laddie laughed; but he sobered quickly.

"I'm mighty sorry if Mrs. Pryor missed me," he said. "I thought of
her. I have grown to be her devoted slave, and I hoped she liked me."

"You put it mildly," said Mr. Pryor. "Since you didn't come when she
expected you, we've had the worst time with her that we have had since
we reached this da--ah--er--um--this country."

"Could you make any suggestion?" asked Laddie.

"I could! I would suggest that you act like the sensible fellow I know
you to be, and come as usual, at your accustomed times."

"But I'm forbidden, man!" cried Laddie.

Ugh! Such awful things as Mr. Pryor said.

"Forbidden!" he cried. "Is a man's roof his own, or is it not? While
I live, I propose to be the head of my family. I invite you! I ask
you! Mrs. Pryor and I want you! What more is necessary?"

"TWO things," said Laddie, just as serenely. "That Miss Pryor wants
me, and that I want to come."

"D'ye mean to tell me that you DON'T want to come, eh? After the fight
you put up to force your way in!"

Laddie studied the sky, a whimsy smile on his lips.

"Now wasn't that a good fight?" he inquired. "I'm mighty proud of it!
But not now, or ever, do I wish to enter your house again, if Miss
Pryor doesn't want, and welcome me."

Then he went over, took Mr. Pryor's horse by the head, and began
working with its bridle. It didn't set right some way, and Mr. Pryor
had jerked, spurred, and mauled, until there was a big space tramped to
mortar. Laddie slid his fingers beneath the