was--with just a hint of tossing defiance. Yet there was no need for that.
Edom thought well of her.

No one was known to have mourned the departed save an inferior dog he had
made his own and been kind to; but this creature had little sympathy or
notice, though he was said to have waited three days and three nights on
the new earth that topped the grave of Cousin Bill J. For, quite aside
from his unfortunate connection, he had not been thought well of as a dog.




CHAPTER X

THE PASSING OF THE GRATCHER; AND ANOTHER


From year to year the perfect father came to Edom to be a week with his
children. And though from visit to visit there were external variations in
him, his genial and refreshing spirit was changeless. When his garments
were appreciably less regal, even to the kind eye of his younger son; when
his hat was not all one might wish; the boots less than excellent; the
priceless watch-chain absent, or moored to a mere bunch of aimless keys,
though the bounty from his pockets was an irregular and minute trickle of
copper exclusively, the little boy strutted as proudly by his side,
worshipping him as loyally, as when these outer affairs were quite the
reverse. Yet he could not avoid being sensible of the fluctuations.

One year the parent would come with the long hair of one who, having been
brother to the red Indian for years, has wormed from his medicine man the