"I
heerd Zeke White tell 'er he was er-comin' ter-night."
"Mar--" began Mandy Calline, looking at her mother appealingly.
"Shet up, you boys," came in answer. "Zachariah, ha' ye parted th' cows 'n'
calves?"
"No, 'm."
"Then be erbout it straight erway. Jim--you Jeems Henry!"
"Ya'as, 'm," from outside the window.
"Go 'n' shet up the hen-'ouse, 'n' see ef th' black hen 'n' chickens ha'
gone ter roost in there. She'll keep stayin' out o' nights till th' fox 'll
grab 'er. Now, chillen, make 'er hurry 'n' git thee in here. Come, Thaney
gal, we'll go in th' house 'n' find pappy 'n' gra'mammy. Susan Jane, come
fetch th' baby's ole quilt 'n' spread it down on th' floor fer 'er"; and
Mother Tyler repaired to the house with the baby in her arms.
"Why, mother, ye in here by yerself? I tho't Jeems Henry was with yer."
"Ya'as, Malviny, he was tell er minit ergo, 'n' he stepped out to th' lot,"
replied the old lady, in tones so like the expression of her face, mildly
calm, that it was a pleasure to hear her speak.
"Ha" ye got thet baby wi' ye?"
"Ya'as, 'm."
"I wish ye'd put her on my lap.
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