Levine nodded. "The Indians are in awful bad shape up there. Agent's
in it for what he can get, I guess. Don't know as I blame him. The
sooner the Indians are gone the better it'll be for us and all
concerned."

"What's the matter with 'em?" asked Lydia.

"Consumption--some kind of eye disease--starvation--"

The child shivered and her eyes widened.

"You'd better go on with the 'Water Babies,'" said John. "Has Tom
fallen into the river yet?"

"No, he's just seen himself in the mirror," answered Lydia, burying her
nose in the delectable tale again.

"It's a wonderful story," said Levine, his black eyes reminiscent.

"'Clear and cool, clear and cool,
By laughing shallow and dreaming pool;

* * * * * *

Undefiled, for the undefiled;
Play by me, bathe in me, mother and child.'

It has some unforgettable verse in it. Well, as I was saying, Amos,
that timber isn't going to stay up there and rot--_because, I'm going