Part 20 (2/2)

”It's consid'able different from mince!” said Calvin. ”Yes, it is a remarkable pie,” he added, after a second bite; ”no two ways about that. I never tasted one like it. Do you s'pose I could have just a mite of b.u.t.ter on this biscuit, Miss Phrony?”

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”WITH ONE SWIFT MOTION, CALVIN TRANSFERRED THE PIE FROM HIS PLATE TO THE STOVE.”]

Miss Phrony a.s.sented, and went into the pantry. Then, with one swift, stealthy motion, Calvin Parks transferred the portion of pie from his plate to the stove, replaced the stove-cover noiselessly, and was in his seat and gazing placidly at his empty plate before Miss Phrony appeared with the b.u.t.ter.

”Why, you've eat your pie real speedy!” she cried joyfully.

”It's all gone!” said Calvin soberly. ”Not a mite left. No--no thank you, not another morsel! but it certinly is a remarkable pie. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll go in and have a pipe with the old lady.”

”So do!” said Miss Phrony graciously. ”I'll be in as soon as I've done the dishes, Cap'n.”

”Don't hasten!” said Calvin Parks earnestly.

Old Mrs. Marlin was still cowering over the stove, her fingers spread like a bird's claws.

”Did you like your supper, Cap'n?” she asked, as Calvin entered.

”That's what!” replied Calvin enigmatically.

”It's all dust and ashes!” said the old lady unexpectedly.

”Well!” said Calvin. ”I dono as I'd go so fur as that, quite, but it was undeniable dry.”

”Jesus'll kerry me through!” the widow went on, rocking herself back and forth. ”Dust and ashes, and Jordan rollin' past, rollin' past!” Her eyes glittered, and her voice rose in a sing-song whine.

”Hold on there, old lady,” said Calvin Parks. ”Come out o' that now, and let's be sociable Christmas night. I dono as you'd think it right and proper to allow of me smokin', what?”

The glitter died out of the old lady's eyes; she stopped rocking, and cackled gleefully; this time-worn joke never failed to delight her. With eager, trembling fingers she brought out a cob pipe from a corner behind the stove, and handed it to Calvin, who filled it from his own pouch and returned it to her. Then he lighted his own pipe, and soon they were puffing in concert. In the pantry close by Miss Phrony was rattling dishes; they sounded like dry bones.

”There!” said Calvin comfortably. ”Now you feel better, don't you, old lady?”

The old lady nodded like a Salem mandarin.

”Jordan ain't rollin' so fast now, is it?”

”Nothin' like!” said the old lady.

”Then, since we're all comfortable and peaceful,” said Calvin, ”I've half a mind to tell you something, old lady.”

He paused and seemed to listen; his next words were spoken silently.

”What say? Oh, you go along! I tell you I've got to tell some one, or I shall bust. I can't fetch hossy into the settin'-room, can I? 'Tis betwixt sawdust and kindlin's with these two, but yet I like the old one best.”

Then he spoke aloud. ”Yes, ma'am! I reelly have--a half a mind to tell you something. Some time or other--not right away, you needn't go thinkin' that, but when I get round to it, you understand--I am thinkin'

of--of changin' my condition.”

The widow uttered an exclamation, and fixed her beady eyes on him eagerly. The rattling of dishes in the pantry stopped suddenly.

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