Page:Caroline Lockhart--The full of the Moon.djvu/108

 so with my work when—here he is now, Frederick, aidge over and make a place for pa."

The uproar drowned the jangle of spurs, but shortly a man, lean and stooped from much riding, bent his head to come through the doorway.

Shrieks greeted him; it was obvious that Blakely was popular with his family.

He nodded to Nan with a pleasant though slightly inquiring look, and hung his hat upon a nail.

Nan saw that Edith was like her father. She had his earnest, dark eyes and her softer features were feminine duplicates of his; they were stamped, too, with something of the same uncomplaining patience. She was as unlike her vapid, weak-chinned mother as two persons well could be.

The red-haired baby in his home-made high-chair suddenly threw himself back and let out a yell. His mouth, which was a slit when closed, now looked quite square, and his feet beat a tattoo under the table.

Lasses! 'lasses! Want 'lasses!"

Mrs. Blakely looked at him fondly.