the slamming of the stockade gate, the fascinated circle rushed pell-mell through the door to swarm over a lank, spiritless figure in a slat sunbonnet.
"Ma, where you been? I'm hungry!"
"Ma, ain't you ever goin' to git us anything to eat?"
"My lands, don't you children ever aim to give me a minute's peace or rest till I'm daid?"
"You ain't daid yet, ma, and it's past dinner-time!"
Mrs. Blakely untied her bonnet-strings and sauntered leisurely toward the house.
"Howdy!" She smiled amiably at Nan and sat down on the doorstep, to retwist a small knob of ginger-colored hair.
"Clytie, git ma a drink of water!"
"Regina, git ma a drink of water."
"Luna, git ma a drink of water."
"Carmencita, git ma a drink of water."
The request was passed down the line until it reached Undine, who finally came toddling with the water splashing in a gourd.
Edith's face clouded when she returned from putting the horses away to find her
