At his entrance Molly melted from her hostile attitude, and while she
hung on the old man's breast, Gay noticed, with surprise, that she
was made up of enchanting curves and delicious softness. Her sharpened
features grew rounder, and her thin red lips lost their hardness of
outline. When she raised her head after a minute, he saw that the light
in her eyes adorned and enriched her. By Jove, he had never imagined
that she could change and colour like that!

"You are late, grandfather," said the girl, "I was coming to look for
you with a lantern."

"The red cow kept me," answered the old man, adding as he held out his
hand to Gay, "So you've come at last, Mr. Jonathan. Your mother will be
pleased."

"I was sorry to find her absent," replied Gay, "and I was just asking
your granddaughter if she would permit me to join you at supper?"

"To be sure--to be sure," responded Reuben, with a cheerfulness which
struck Gay as singularly pathetic. "After supper Molly will go over with
Patsey and see that you are made comfortable."

The old hound, blind and toothless, fawned at his knees, and leaning
over, he caressed it with a knotted and trembling hand.

"Has Spot had his supper, Molly?"

"Yes, grandfather. He can eat only soft bread and gravy." At her voice
the hound groped toward her, and stooping, she laid her soft, flushed
cheek on his head.