right to pay him best she knows? They're jest common human
bein's, an' I don't know where you got privilege to spy on a
female when she's doin' the best she knows."

Maria broke from his grasp and started down the line fence.

In a few strides Abram had her in his arms, his withered cheek
with its springtime bloom pressed against her equally withered,
tear-stained one.

"Maria," he whispered, waveringly, "Maria, honey, I wasn't
meanin' any disrespect to the sex."

Maria wiped her eyes on the corner of her shawl. "I don't s'pose
you was, Abram," she admitted; "but you're jest like all the rest
o' the men. You never think! Now you go on with your plowin'
an' let that little female alone."

She unclasped his arms and turned homeward.

"Honey," called Abram softly, "since you brought 'em that
pocketful o' wheat, you might as well let me have it."

"Landy!" exclaimed Maria, blushing; "I plumb forgot my wheat! I
thought maybe, bein' so early, pickin' was scarce, an' if you'd
put out a little wheat an' a few crumbs, they'd stay an' nest in
the sumac, as you're so fond o' them."

"Jest what I'm fairly prayin' they'll do, an' I been carryin'
stuff an' pettin' him up best I knowed for a week," said Abram,