is it? Why don't you drive that man away?"

"Did you hear us talkin'?" asked the man, an anxious note in his
voice.

"I heard you talkin' to him about pesterin' me, but after that,
you didn't talk so loud. What is the matter, Daddy, that he could
stay and be so thick with you after the things you said? I was
sure he'd make you kill him."

Jim laughed softly; "You're just like your mother, girl. Just like
her, with the old blood a backin' you up." Then he asked a number
of questions about Mr. Howitt, and her visit to the ranch that
evening.

As Sammy told him of her ambition to fit herself for the place
that would be hers, when she married, and repeating the things
that Mr. Howitt had told her, explained how the shepherd had
promised to help, Jim expressed his satisfaction and delight. "I
knowed you was a studyin' about something, girl," he said, "but I
didn't say nothin', 'cause I 'lowed you'd tell me when you got
ready."

"I didn't want to say nothing 'til I was sure, you see," replied
the daughter. "I aimed to tell you as soon as I got home to-night,
but Wash Gibbs didn't give me no chance."

The man held her close "Dad Howitt sure puts the thing just right,
Sammy. It'll be old times come back, when you're a lady in your
own house with all your fine friends around; and you'll do it,