about right. He sure have been good to me.”

The widow sat on her little stoop, waiting and watching, as her daughter rode to the door and wearily alighted.

“Cassandry Merlin! For the Lord’s sake! What-all is up now? Hoyle — where is that boy? — Hoyle, come here an’ take the horse fer sister. Be ye most dade, honey? I reckon ye be. Ye look like hit.”

Cassandra kissed her mother and passed on into the house. “I couldn’t send you word last night; anyway, I reckoned you’d rest better if you didn’t know, for we-all thought Doctor Thryng was sure killed. Did Hoke tell you this morning?”

“I ‘lowed you was stoppin’ with Azalie — ’at baby was sick or somethin’