IN WHICH CASSANDRA AND DAVID VISIT THE HOME OF DECATUR IRWIN

Soon the way became steep and difficult and the path so narrow they were forced to go single file. Then Cassandra led and David followed. They passed no dwellings, and even the little home to which they were going was lost to view. He wondered if she were not weary, remembering that she had been over the distance twice before that day, and begged her, as he had done when they set out, to allow him to carry the basket, but still she would not.

“I never think of it. I often carry things this way. — We have to here in the mountains.” She glanced back at him and smiled. “I reckon you find it hard because you are not used to living like we do; we’re soon there now, see yonder?”