Page:Lippincotts Monthly Magazine-40.djvu/437

Rh wouldn't agree, 'nless Pel tote her back to New York. Well, I wouldn't, an' she wouldn't; an' so we jest sot an' spit at each other, like two tom-cats on a back fence. An' finally, says I, 'Call it Shercargo, an' split the difference, an' it's a go;' and says she, ' It's a whack.' An' that settles it. But Mary can go with us: we am goin' as soon as yer can git a new super."

"Mary might have some plan of her own to suggest about going East," faltered Tom.

"I reckon she have," seconded Droopy, with exceeding warmth and a very knowing grin.

"I don't quite understan'," said Dubb, looking first at Droopy and then at Tom.

"Here she am: let her speak for herself," said Droopy, grinning more than ever.

There was a swift patter of little feet, and then Mary flung herself into Dubb's arms. For one moment the recollection of her mother's words brought up the feeling in Dubb which had, he thought, been crushed out of him completely by his earnest solicitude for Mary; and now, and for the last time, he wanted to hold her fast forever, and call her wife.

"Oh, papa, I am so glad to see you!" she cried, kissing him again and again.

"An' papa am glad ter see his little daughter, too," he responded. The other dream was dead, now, and he was all father again. "Don't you want to go East?" he added. "Droopy, an' Tom, an' Tom's gal, an' I am goin'."

"Can't—can't Walter go, too?" she whispered, blushing crimson, and burying her face in his rough coat.

"Sartin," he answered; and it was the first time she had ever seen him smile.