sure anyone would be glad for such charming company."

The girl looked up suspiciously; "Are you a jokin'?" she said.

"Indeed, I am not; I am very much in earnest. Then, taking a cob
pipe from his pocket, he added, politely, "May I smoke?"

"Heh? O law! yes. What you ask me for?" She watched him curiously,
as he filled and lighted the pipe. "I reckon that's because you
was raised in the city," he added slowly; "is that the way folks
do there?"

"Folks smoke here, sometimes, do they not?" he returned between
puffs.

"I don't mean that. Course they smoke and chew, too. And the women
dip snuff, some of 'em. Aunt Mollie Matthews don't, though, and I
ain't never goin' to, 'cause she don't. But nobody don't ask
nobody else if they can. They just go ahead. That ain't the only
way you're different from us, though," she continued, looking at
Mr. Howitt, with that wide questioning gaze. "You're different in
a heap o' ways. 'Tain't that you wear different clothes, for you
don't, no more. Nor, 'taint that you act like you were any
better'n us. I don't know what it is, but it's somethin'. Take
your stayin' here in Mutton Hollow, now; honest, Dad, ain't you
afear'd to stay here all alone at nights?"

"Afraid? afraid of what?" he looked at her curiously.

"Hants," said the girl, lowering her voice; "down there." She