My paw’s mothah spun an’ wove that gingham — ol’ Miz Caswell. They don’t many do work like that nowadays. They lived right whar we a’ livin’ now.”

David unlocked the chest and lifted the heavy lid.

“Hit’s down in the further cornder — that’s hit, I reckon. Just step to the door, will you, an’ see is they anybody nigh.”

He went to the door, but saw no one; only from the shed came an intermittent rat-tat-tat.

“I don’t see any one, but I hear some one pounding.”

“Hit’s only Hoyle makin’ his traps.” She sighed, then slowly and tenderly untied the parcel and placed