"I am rather surprised at myself for waking so early," he answered. "I
slept like a log. It is the first real rest I have had since--since I
was here before. Why, Dolly"--he caught himself up--"I suppose I must
say Miss Drake now--"

"No, I am not that to any one in all this valley, and don't want to
be!" she cried, the corners of her mouth curving bewitchingly. "Even
the little children call me 'Dolly,' and I like it."

"I mustn't stop you if you are going somewhere," he said, still in the
grasp of her wondrous beauty.

"I'm going down to Tobe Barnett's cabin in the edge of our field." She
showed a small vial half filled with medicine in the pocket of her
white apron. "His baby, little Robby, was taken sick a few days ago. I
sat up there part of last night. They have no paragoric and I am
taking some over."

"So that's where you were; I wondered when I didn't see you at
supper," Mostyn said, turning with her toward the gate. "I'll go with
you if you don't mind."

"Oh yes, come on," Dolly answered. "We'll have plenty of time before
the breakfast-bell rings. It is not far. I am awfully sorry for Tobe
and his wife; they are both young and inexperienced."

"And you are a regular grandmother in wisdom," Mostyn jested. "Only
eighteen, with the world on your shoulders."