though it's you as made it.' This here is plum-day, and that there
can of plums will shore be opened. And having my first fire gives
me a chance to open up my sack of flour; won't I hold carnival!
What I feels sorry about myself is knowing how I'm going to feel
after I've et all them victuals. I believe I'll take a bath, too,
in that pool over yonder in the grove. Ain't I ever going to use
that there soap?... But I don't say as I will. Don't seem wuth
while. They ain't nobody to see me, and I feels clean insides. As
I takes it, you do your washing for them as neighbors with you. If
I had a neighbor!--just a dog, a little yaller dog--or some chickens
to crow and cackle--"

He broke off, to lean despondently on his gun. He remained thus
motionless for a long time, his earth-stained garments, unkempt
hair, hard dark hands and gloomy eye marking him as the only object
in the bright sunshine standing forth unresponsive to nature's
smile.

He started into life with a shrug of his powerful shoulders. "It's
just like you, Brick, to spoil a festibul-day with your low idees!
Why don't you keep them idees for a rainy day? Just lay up them
regrets and hankerings for the first rainy day, and then be of a
piece with the heavens and earth. 'If you can't stay cheerful while
the sun's shining,' says Brick, 'God's wasting a mighty nice big sun
on YOU!'"

Thus admonishing himself, and striving desperately for contentment,
he strode forth from the only exit of the cove, and skirted the
southern wall of the range, looking for game. It was late in the
afternoon when he returned with the best portions of a deer swung