Part 20 (1/2)

While the family sat at table enjoying the quiet Sunday evening, Sary took advantage of their interesting discourse to slip away from the kitchen and examine the beautiful lace-trimmed apparel spread out upon the great bed in the guest-room.

”Laws me! Ef it hain't like a bridal outfit. Ef Ah ever hed hed th'

chanst t' put on ennything like-es-that, I'd not have hed t'marry a poor rancher like Bill. Ah could have hed my pick of the men at Oak Crick!”

Sary sighed with pity at her own limitations in life, and she crept back to her kitchen planning how she could manage to get one of the girls to present her with some of the bridal finery. Thus pondering the problem, she sat down opposite Jeb and entertained him, as he ate his Sunday supper of pork and beans.

CHAPTER X

THE DANCE AT BEAR FORKS

The interesting events which crowded each other, day after day, in this western life, so engrossed the girls that Bob forgot her vow to send a telegram for return money to Chicago. She even forgot to write to Mrs.

Maynard at Newport, or to any of her society friends, until Anne reminded her of a duty to her parents.

Tuesday following their first Sunday at Pebbly Pit, a rancher's wife called just before noon, to deliver invitations.

”Ah heer'd tell how you-all had comp'ny this summer?” were the words with which she greeted Mrs. Brewster.

”Yes, a few young people. Will you be seated, Mrs. Halsey?” said Mrs.

Brewster, placing a chair on the vine-shaded porch.

”Ah come t' ast you-all--say, you, Sally, stop pickin' them flowers!

Mis' Brewster'll lick yuh!” The visitor interrupted herself to shout at her little girl who proved to be a naughty one.

”Ez Ah was sayin', Ah come t' leave an invite fer th' hop at Bear Forks. We-all is glad t' see Anne Stewart, which was a school-teacher some time back, an' it was fit t' celebrate her friends.h.i.+p, in some way. Don't cha think a dance jes' th' thing?” As the visitor spoke she rocked violently back and forth.

”I'm sorry my visitors are not here to thank you themselves, but I feel sure they will be delighted to attend the dance,” replied Mrs.

Brewster, shaking her head rebukingly at the small boy who stood on the rockers of his mother's chair, and gripped hold of the back, and so was roughly swayed back and forth with the rocking.

”See har, yuh Jim Henderson Halsey--git down from thar! Ef Ah ketch yuh, Ah'll skin yer face fer the hop--that Ah will!” threatened the mother, trying to reach her young hopeful.

But Jim Henderson Halsey knew from dire experiences just what to expect did his mother succeed in catching him, so he dodged and ran away.

”Did you-all say the gals would be in shortly?” asked the caller.

”No, I said they were _not_ in. They are at the corral this morning.”

”Laws me! What a place t' spend th' mornin'. Ah reckon they'll be along any time, then.”

”They left here just before you came and they are practicing on our western horses before taking any long trips,” explained Mrs. Brewster, looking regretfully at the flower-beds where the two willful children were destroying the fruits of her planting.

Mrs. Halsey followed her hostess's glance and jumped up. ”Ef yuh two varmints don't quit that, an' come right t' me, Ah'll--Ah'll shet yuh up in a boogy-hole!” shrilled the irate mother.

Sary heard the familiar voice and instantly ran from the kitchen to a.s.sist in entertaining the morning visitor. The two bad youngsters, left to their own devices, began throwing the whitewashed stones that encircled Mrs. Brewster's roundels.

”How-dy, Miss Halsey?” was Sary's greeting, her large hand extended in cordial comrades.h.i.+p.

”Oh, it's Sary Dodd! How-dee, Sary? Ah recommember now that you-all come t' live wid Miss Brewster. How'd you-all like th' place?”