a curious interest. The coming of a pupil with no books and a violin was
something unexpected. He stepped forward with a courtly grace and greeted
them most politely, for wherever Marlowe Mann might be, he never forgot
that he was a gentleman.

"This is my gal what I have brought to be educated," said Mrs. Woods,
proudly. "They think a great deal of education up around Boston where I
came from. Where did you come from?"

"From Boston."

"So I have been told--from Harvard College. Can I speak with you a minute
in private?"

"Yes, madam. Step aside."

"I suppose you are kinder surprised that I let my gal there, Gretchen,
bring her violin with her; but I have a secret to tell ye. Gretchen is a
kind of a poet, makes rhymes, she does; makes _fool_ rhyme with _school_,
and such things as that. Now, I don't take any interest in such things.
But she does play the violin beautiful. Learned of a German teacher. Now,
do you want to know why I let her bring her violin? Well, I thought it
might _help_ you. You've got a hard lot of scholars to deal with out here,
and there are Injuns around, too, and one never knows what they may do.

"Well, schoolmaster, you never heard nothin' like that violin. It isn't no
evil spirit that is in Gretchen's violin; it's an angel. I first noticed
it one day when husband and I had been havin' some words. We have words
sometimes. I have a lively mind, and know how to use words when I am
opposed. Well, one day when husband and I had been havin' words, which we