Miss Watson, you need not be ashamed of your
riding.
It wasfeminine intuition that caused her,
unconsciously, to fortify herselfby roused antagonism. Say, Jenks, what ails them
fellars down thar?
Along here it had aconsiderable sameness, that
added to the distance. He has five girls and four boys, all bornin that little
one-room hut.
Wal, youve settled it, an thar aint nothin wrong
with your nerve,replied Denmeade.
Lastly the loneliness, the solitude, gripped Lucys
heart.
Whereupon the children were presented to Lucy, a
situation rich inpleasure and interest for her. This roof also extended far out to
cover a porch the whole length ofthe building.
Shore shell be thar, teacher, said
Denmeade.
This information brought decided surprise and
welcome to thewomans face. So she experienced two extremes offeeling in passing that
point. She knew intuitively that she had struckthe right chord in this old
backwoodsman.
Bees never sting him, even when heschoppin a new
bee tree.
You see, Miss Watson, its not going to be as rosy
as we hoped, saidMr.
Whats more to thepoint, I can say as their teacher
Ive learned a good deal about theirlives. Im afraid most girl visitors here have
been homely,replied Lucy.
Its to make better homes for the children.
Fortunately they had seen a service which now appeared likely to serve herin good
stead.
It appeared he had once been aforest ranger in one
of the Northern states.
Youll probably walk, and climb, and besides ride
horseback, beforeyoure through to-day, replied Mr.
And she realised an undue curiosity inregard to
this backwoods boy. Jenks, laughing, as he reached forhis parcels on the seat.
Pulling him to a swinging canter,Lucy took stock of pleasant sensations. A glossy,
spirited little bay pony stood there saddled and bridled,champing his bit. Ill carry
your grips to my tent where you can change. He did notappear so tall or so lean as
young Johnson. Lastly the loneliness, the solitude, gripped Lucys heart. The walls
were bare, of rough-hewn logs, with the chinks between plasteredwith clay. Suddenly
she turned a corner of the brushy trail to ride out into aclearing.
Come an see us, invited the mother, addressing
Lucy, and the growndaughter added: By.
A biggrey animal followed me half-way down to
Johnsons.
Lucy inquired about thesebeasts, and further if
there were snakes and bugs.
This is the Johnson place, where I live, said
Mr.
Why yes, you could call me that, replied Lucy
smiling.
Miss Watson is in earnest, replied the
school-teacher.