Page:Hell-Bent fer Heaven (Hughes 1924).pdf/18

4 river, half concealing the distant peaks of the mountains.

Old ''enters from without. He is a rugged, well-preserved man of eighty. His snow-white hair and beard contrast vividly with the ruddy glow of his face. The peculiar radiance of countenance that comes with serene old age is heightened in him by the brilliant sunlight, which brings into full relief a personality that is rich, humorous, and mellow without a touch of sentimentality. He carries an old muzzle-loading rifle, which he places in the gun rack after removing the percussion cap''.

A moment later his daughter-in-law,, a strong, active woman of forty-odd, enters from the kitchen, carrying an earthenware bowl full of garden peas.

Whew! I declar—it’s hot enough in that kitchen to brile bacon ’thout a fire! [She sits down and begins to shell peas.]

[Mops his face]

It’s hot ’nough everywhar to-day.

I reckon it ’ll storm ag’in afore night.