CHAPTER II

AMY WINFIELD


The reader may now consider himself introduced to the household with whom
he is invited to sojourn. In time he will grow better acquainted with the
different members of the family, as they in their several ways develop
their own individuality. A remark from old Mr. Clifford indicates that
another guest is expected, who, unlike ourselves, will be present in
reality, not fancy, and who is destined to become a permanent inmate of
the home.

"This is a bitter day," he said, "for little Amy to come to us; and yet,
unless something unforeseen prevents, she will be at the station this
evening."

"Don't worry about the child," Burtis responded, promptly; "I'll meet
her, and am glad of an excuse to go out this horrid day. I'll wrap her up
in furs like an Esquimau."

"Yes, and upset her in the drifts with your reckless driving," said
good-natured Leonard. "Thunder is wild enough at any time; but of late,
between the cold, high feeding, and idleness, he'll have to be broken
over again; lucky if he don't break your neck in the operation. The
little girl will feel strange enough, anyway, coming among people that
she has never seen, and I don't intend that she shall be frightened out
of her wits into the bargain by your harum-scarum ways. You'd give her
the impression that we were only half-civilized. So I'll drive over for