Page:Emma Speed Sampson--The shorn lamb.djvu/62

58 Hedges," was just across the river. She was young yet, only eighteen, but by the time he was ready for her she would be the right age. Spot knew very well, in spite of the Major's bluff assertion concerning the mistake of the Taylors having allied themselves with the aristocracy, that he would not accept for a member of his family one whose birth was not in accordance with the family traditions.

The Major's observations concerning the barrenness of his offspring were cut short by the return of Willie Bell with the mail. The little darkey was quite weighed down with the magazines and pamphlets and parcel post packages.

"The writ letters is tied up on the imside er that there maggotzine," he said, handing all the mail to his master.

"Here's a nickel for not dropping any," said the Major. "Be sure to grow up and marry and have a big family, so some of them can run the mill for me when old Uncle Si is dead."

"Yessah! Much obleeged, sah!"

The boy gave a hitch to his twine suspenders and slipped around the house, glad to escape without further bantering.

The Major sat down and began leisurely sorting the mail. He knew perfectly well that his daughters were eagerly waiting to see if there