whose acquaintance will prove a treat to our section."

We all bowed at each other beneath the florid expanse of these
recommendations, and I was proceeding to murmur something about its being
a long journey and a fine day when Miss Peck cut me short, gaily:

"Well," she exclaimed to Tommy, "I guess I'm pretty near ready for them
eggs you've spoke so much about."

I have not often seen Mr. McLean lose his presence of mind. He needed
merely to exclaim, "Why, Tommy, you told me your hens had not been laying
since Christmas!" and we could have sat quiet and let Tommy try to find
all the eggs that he could. But the new girl was a sore embarrassment to
the cow-puncher's wits. Poor Lin stood by the wheels of the wagon. He
looked up at Miss Peck, he looked over at Tommy, his features assumed a
rueful expression, and he wretchedly blurted,

"Why, Tommy, I've been and eat 'em."

"Well, if that ain't!" cried Miss Peck. She stared with interest at Lin
as he now assisted her to descend.

"All?" faltered Tommy. "Not the four nests?"

"I've had three meals, yu' know," Lin reminded him, deprecatingly.

"I helped him," said I. "Ten innocent, fresh eggs. But we have left some
ham. Forgive us, please."

"I declare!" said Miss Peck, abruptly, and rolled her sluggish, inviting