"Wall, I vow to Maria!" gasped the newcomer. "What's this I've
dropped into?"

Bess was now laughing so that she could not speak, and the puppy was
barking as hard as he could bark. Nan managed to ask:

"Who are you, sir, and where did you come from?"

"Si Snubbras is my name," declared the "heavenly visitor." "And I reckon
I'm nearer home than you be, Miss, for I live right east of the
railroad-cut, here. I was jest goin' across to Peleg Morton's haouse with
this yere milk, when I--I sorter dropped in," and Farmer Snubbins went
off into a fit of laughter at his own joke.




CHAPTER IX

AN ANGEL WITH CHIN WHISKERS


Mr. Si Snubbins was a character, and he plainly was very much pleased
with himself. His little, sharp eyes apprehended the situation quickly.

"I vow to Maria!" repeated the farmer. "Ye air all snowed up here, ain't
ye? A hull trainful o' folks. Wall!"

"And oh, Mr. Snubbins!" said Nan Sherwood, "you have milk in those cans,
haven't you?"