Page:Caroline Lockhart--The full of the Moon.djvu/102

 the slamming of the stockade gate, the fascinated circle rushed pell-mell through the door to swarm over a lank, spiritless figure in a slat sunbonnet.

"Ma, where you been? I'm hungry!"

"Ma, ain't you ever goin' to git us anything to eat?"

"My lands, don't you children ever aim to give me a minute's peace or rest till I'm daid?"

"You ain't daid yet, ma, and it's past dinner-time!"

Mrs. Blakely untied her bonnet-strings and sauntered leisurely toward the house.

"Howdy!" She smiled amiably at Nan and sat down on the doorstep, to retwist a small knob of ginger-colored hair.

"Clytie, git ma a drink of water!"

"Regina, git ma a drink of water."

"Luna, git ma a drink of water."

"Carmencita, git ma a drink of water."

The request was passed down the line until it reached Undine, who finally came toddling with the water splashing in a gourd.

Edith's face clouded when she returned from putting the horses away to find her