mewing, and looking ready to scratch. He just took up with us and
now it's like always being scared to close a door for fear of
catching his tail in the jamb--I'm talking in a figger. Come in,
pard--this used to be Lahoma's boudoir before we built that cabin
for her. See the carpet? Don't tell ME you're a-walking on it, and
not noticing! See that little stove? I brung it clear across the
mountains from a deserted wagon, when I was young. Two legs is gone
and it's squat-bellied, and smokes if the wind gives it a chance;
but I wouldn't trade it for a new one. Set on this bench. I
recollect as well as if it 'us yesterday, Lahoma a-setting there
with her legs untouching of the floor, learning 'A' and 'B' and
asking thousands of questions and getting herself civilized. I
couldn't do a finished job, but Bill took her by the hand later,
then a Mrs. Featherby, what moved over in the west mountain, added
stores from New England and travels in Europe. When the settlers
come, she gleaned all they knowed, always a-rising and a-looking out
for new country. That's a wonderful girl!" he added with
conviction.

When Bill came, they sat about the stove, the light from the famous
window bringing out with clear distinctness Brick's huge form and
bristling beard, Bill's thin figure surmounted by its shock of white
hair, and Wilfred's handsome grave face and splendidly developed
physique. It was so warm below the ground that the fire in the
stove was maintained at the lowest state possible; but when the
western light quickly vanished from the window, the glowing coals
gave homely cheer to the crude room.

In answer to their questioner, Wilfred told of his experiences on
his quarter-section: how he had broken the prairie land, put in