"Been skeered by old Mis' Price's harnt lately?" Rufe asked suddenly
from his perch upon the wood-pile.

Byers whirled round abruptly, fixing an astonished gaze upon Rufe,
unmindful that the knife slipped from his grasp, and fell clanking
upon the ground.



CHAPTER IX.

This grave, eager gaze Rufe returned with the gayest audacity.

"Been skeered by old Mis' Price's harnt lately?" he once more
chirped out gleefully.

He was comical enough, as he sat on the top of the wood-pile,
hugging his knees with both arms, his old, bent, wool hat perched on
the back of his tow head, and all his jagged squirrel teeth showing
themselves, unabashed, in a wide grin.

Jubal Perkins laughed lazily, as he looked at him.

Then, with that indulgence which Rufe always met at the tanyard, and
which served to make him so pert and forward, the tanner said,
humoring the privileged character, "What be you-uns a-talkin' 'bout,
boy? Mrs. Price ain't dead."

"HE hev viewed old Mis' Price's harnt," cried Rufe, pointing at Andy