won, you'll put out, and never stop till you're so far away, you'll
be clear out of her world. And not one word to her, not so much as
one hint, mind you, as to the reason of your going; it'll just be
good-by and farewell!"

"You see," Willock interpolated, "she is nothing a little gal, and
we don't want no foolish ideas to the contrary. You takes her for
what she is, nothing took from nor added to. In course, she'll be
growed up some day, I reckon, though may the good Lord take a good
long time finishing up the work He's begun so noble. When she's
growed up, when she's a woman, it ain't for us to say how you come
and how you go, take from or add to. But while she's a kid, it is
different, according."

"You have my word of honor to all these conditions," Wilfred cried
lightly. "As a child of the mountains I ask for her acquaintance.
If I should ever feel differently about her, I'll go away and stay
away until she's a woman. Surely that's enough to promise!"

"There ain't too much to promise, when it comes to the peace and
happiness of our little girl," retorted the old man, "but I can't
think of any more for you to take oath to."

"Me nuther, Bill," agreed Willock. "Seems to me the young man is
bound as firm as humans can do the binding. Now you sit right here,
son, don't come a step nigher the house, and we'll go to breakfast;
and later you'll know whether or not all this promising has been
idle waste of time."

"But I can see how it'll turn out," growled Atkins, "for she is