But his eye and ear are studying them curiously. Sometimes I even
fancy that he sings to them with a plaintive sort of joy, as though
he were saying, "Welcome--go away!"



IV


The Cobbs will be the death of me before they get here. The report
spread that they and I had already had a tremendous quarrel, and
that, rather than live beside them, I had sold them my place. This
set flowing towards me for days a stream of people, like a line of
ants passing to and from the scene of a terrific false alarm. I
had nothing to do but sit perfectly still and let each ant, as it
ran up, touch me with its antennae, get the counter-sign, and turn
back to the village ant-hill. Not all, however. Some remained
to hear me abuse the Cobbs; or, counting on my support, fell to
abusing the Cobbs themselves. When I made not a word of reply,
except to assure them that I really had not quarrelled with the
Cobbs, had nothing against the Cobbs, and was immensely delighted
that the Cobbs were coming, they went away amazingly cool and
indignant. And for days I continued to hear such things attributed
to me that, had that young West-Pointer been in the neighborhood,
and known how to shoot, he must infallibly have blown my head off
me, as any Kentucky gentleman would. Others of my visitors, having
heard that I was not to sell my place, were so glad of it that they
walked around my garden and inquired for my health and the prospect
for fruit. For the season has come when the highest animal
begins to pay me some attention. During the winter, having little