Page:Scarlet Sister Mary (1928).pdf/140

 "I cut you some nice wood, Si May-e. Come, fetch it in befo de dew has it wet." He spoke gently, kindly, as if he had never said a harsh word to her in his life.

"Budda—Budda—I'm so glad to see you—I'm lonesome, I'm most dead"

She was not angry with him, for deep in her heart she knew Budda was her faithful friend. Puffing and groaning with the effort to mount the steps, Budda came inside. Sobs choked Mary, and her brain whirled dizzily.

"Go get de wood, gal. Le me mend you fire. Whe de baby is?"

"Yonder on de bed—a-sleepin." She stood still in bewilderment as much a helpless baby as Unex himself.

"I'll stay wid em till you get you wood. Hurry, befo somebody else takes em. Dem chillen is tricky devils. You can' leave nothin' a-lyin around."

Budda hobbled to where Unex lay sound asleep. "Such a fine lil boy," he murmured.

Mary went and hurried back with an armful of wood, then another. Budda built up the fire, and when it blazed up bright, he said this was meeting night. Mary had better come go.

Mary's heavy heart throbbed in her breast, and a sob shook her as she leaned over the bed where