you a mount'in welcome. This settlement is full o' nice gals, an' you
hain't the least idee how much excitement thar's been sence the report
went out that you are gwine to live amongst us. I'm the most popular
woman in Cartwright, jest beca'se I know you. I tell you I've been
blowin' yore horn. I've talked a sight about you, an' you must do yore
best an' look yore purtiest. Oh, yore clothes is all right!" (seeing
that he was looking doubtfully at his boots and trousers). "They
hain't a dressy set over heer." Her husband was leaving the room, and
she waited till he had closed the door after him. "I want to talk to
you like a mother, John," she said, sitting down near him and holding
the bundle of broom between her knees. "The truth is, I've had a sight
o' worry over you. I often lie awake at night thinkin' about you, an'
wonderin' ef yore ma wouldn't blame me ef she wus alive fer not lookin'
atter you more. I've heerd what a solitary life you've been livin'
sence she died. God knows she wus a big loss, an' it does bring a
great change to part with sech a friend, but, from what I heer, you let
'er death bother you most too much. Why, folks tell me you hain't at
all like you used to be, an' that you jest stayed at home an' never
went about with the young folks any more. You don't look as well as
you did the last time I seed you, nuther. I reckon it's yore way o'
living but you jest sha'n't do that away over heer. You've got to be
natural like other young folks, an' you jest shall, ef I have anything
to say in the matter. John, yore mamma was the best friend I ever had,
an'--"

She paused. Luke was hallooing to some one down the road, and
Westerfelt heard the rumble of wheels over a distant bridge. Mrs.
Bradley went to the door and went out.

"They are comin', the whole caboodle of 'em!" she cried, excitedly. "I