ThehouseoftheMcKinstrysrose，orratherstretched，itselfbeforehim，inallthelazyungainlinessofSouthwesternarchitecture。Acollectionoftemporarymake-shiftsofboards，oflogs，ofcanvas，prematurelydecayed，andinsomeinstancesabandonedforanewererection，ordegradedtomereouthouses——itpresentedwithsingularfranknessthenomadicandtentativedispositionofitsfounder。Ithadbeenrepairedwithoutbeingimproved；itsadditionshadseemedonlytoextenditsprimitiveuglinessoveralargerspace。Itsroofswereroughlyshingledorrudelyboardedandbattened，andtheraftersofsomeofits\"lean-
to’s\"weresimplycoveredwithtarredcanvas。Asiftosettleanydoubtoftheimpossibilityofthisheterogeneousmassevertakinguponitselfanypicturesquecombination，asmallbuildingofcorrugatediron，transportedinsectionsfromsomeremoterlocality，hadbeensetupinitscentre。TheMcKinstryranchhadlongbeenaneyesoretothemaster：eventhatmorninghehadbeenmutelywonderingfromwhatconvolutionofthathideouschrysalisthebrightbutterflyCressyhademerged。Itwaswitharenewalofthiscuriositythathehadjustseenherflutterbacktoitagain。
Ayellowdogwhohadobservedhimhesitatingindoubtwhereheshouldenter，hereyawned，rosefromthesunlightwherehehadbeenblinking，approachedthemasterwithlanguidpoliteness，andthenturnedtowardstheironbuildingasifshowinghimtheway。Mr。
Fordfollowedhimcautiously，painfullyconsciousthathishypocriticalcanineintroducerwasonlyavailinghimselfofanopportunitytogainingressintothehouse，andwasleadinghimasaresponsibleaccomplicetoprobableexposureanddisgrace。Hisexpectationwasquicklyrealized：alazilyquerulous，feminineoutcry，withthewords，\"Yer’sthatdarnedhoundagin！\"camefromanadjacentroom，andhisexposedandabashedcompanionswiftlyretreatedpasthimintotheroadagain。Mr。Fordfoundhimselfaloneinaplainly-furnishedsitting-roomconfrontingtheopendoorleadingtoanotherapartmentatwhichthefigureofawoman，precededhastilybyathrowndishcloth，hadjustappeared。ItwasMrs。McKinstry；hersleeveswererolledupoverherredbutstillshapelyarms，andasshestoodtherewipingthemonherapron，withherelbowsadvanced，andherclosedhandsraisedalternatelyintheair，therewasanoddpugilisticsuggestioninherattitude。Itwasnotlessenedonhersuddendiscoveryofthemasterbyherretreatingbackwardswithherhandsupandherelbowsstillwellforwardasifwarilyretiringtoanimaginary\"corner。\"
Mr。Fordatoncetactfullysteppedbackfromthedoorway。\"Ibegyourpardon，\"hesaid，delicatelyaddressingtheoppositewall，\"butIfoundthedooropenandIfollowedthedog。\"
\"That’sjustoneofhispizenoustricks，\"respondedMrs。McKinstrydolefullyfromwithin。\"On’ylastweekheletinaChinaman，andinthenat’ralhustlin’thatfolleredhemanagedtohelphimselfoutertheporkbar’l。Thereain’tnoshadeo’cussednessthator’naryhoundain’tupto。\"Yetnotwithstandingthisominouscomparisonshepresentlymadeherappearancewithhersleevesturneddown，herblackwoollendress\"tidied，\"andasmileoffatiguedbutnotunkindlywelcomeandprotectiononherface。
Dustingachairwithherapronandplacingitbeforethemaster，shecontinuedmaternally，\"Nowthatyou’rehere，setyerightdownandmakeyourselftohome。Mymenfolksareallouto’door，butsomeof’em’ssuretohappeninsoonforsuthin’；thatdayain’tyetcreatedthattheydon’tcomehuntin’upMammyMcKinstryeveryfiveminutesforthisthingorthat。\"
Theglowofacertainhardprideburnedthroughthecarewornlanguorofherbrowncheek。Whatshehadsaidwasstrangelytrue。
Thisraw-bonedwomanbeforehim，althoughscarcelymiddle-aged，hadforyearsoccupiedaself-imposedmaternalandprotectingrelation，notonlytoherhusbandandbrothers，buttothethreeorfourmen，whoaspartners，orhiredhands，livedattheranch。Aninheritedandtrainedsympathywithwhatshecalledher\"boys’s\"andher\"menfolk，\"andtheirneedshadpartlyunsexedher。ShewasafairtypeofaclassnotuncommonontheSouthwesternfrontier；womenwhowereruderhelpmeetsoftheirrudehusbandsandbrothers，whohadsharedtheirprivationsandsufferingswithsurly，masculineendurance，ratherthanfemininepatience；womenwhohadsenttheirlovedonestohopelessadventureorterriblevendettaasamatterofcourse，orwithpartisanfury；whohaddevotedlynursedthewoundedtokeepalivethefeud，orhadreceivedbacktheirdeaddry-eyedandrevengeful。SmallwonderthatCressyMcKinstryhaddevelopedstrangelyunderthissexlessrelationship。Lookingatthemother，albeitnotwithoutacertainrespect，Mr。Fordfoundhimselfcontrastingherwiththedaughter’sgracefulfemininity，andwonderingwhereinCressy’syouthfulcontourthepossibilityofthegrimfigurebeforehimwasevennowhidden。
\"Hiramallowedtogoovertotheschoolhouseandseeyouthismornin’，\"saidMrs。McKinstry，afterapause；\"butIreckonezhowhehadtolookupstockontheriver。Thecattlearethatwildthistimeo’year，huntin’water，andhangin’roundthetules，thatmymenarenighworritedouto’theirbuteswith’em。HankandJimain’tbeenofftheirmustangssincesunup，andHiram，whatwithpartrollen’theWestBoundaryallnight，watchin’stakeswharthemlowdownHarrisonshevbeentrespassin’——hasn’tputhisfeettothegroundinfourteenhours。MebbeeyounoticedHiramezyoukemalong？Efso，yedidn’trememberwhatkindo’shootin’ironshehadwithhim？Iseehisrifleoveryon。Likeeznothe’zonlygothissix-shooter，andthemHarrisonsaremeanenoughtolayforhimatlongrange。But，\"sheadded，returningtothelessimportanttopic，\"Is’poseCressycameallright。\"
\"Yes，\"saidthemasterhopelessly。
\"Ireckonshelookedso，\"continuedMrs。McKinstry，withtolerantabstraction。\"SheallowedtodoherselfcreditinoneofthemnewstoregowndsthatshegotatSacramento。Atleastthat’swhatsomeofourmensaid。Lateyears，Iain’tkepttechwiththefashionsmyself。\"Shepassedherfingersexplanatorilydownthefoldsofherowncoarsegown，butwithoutregretorapology。
\"Sheseemedwellpreparedinherlessons，\"saidthemaster，abandoningforthemomentthatcriticismofhispupil’sdress，whichhesawwasutterlyfutile，\"butamItounderstandthatsheiscomingregularlytoschool——thatsheisnowperfectlyfreetogiveherentireattentiontoherstudies——that——that——her——
engagementisbrokenoff？\"
\"Why，didn’tshetellye？\"echoedMrs。McKinstryinlanguidsurprise。
\"SHEcertainlydid，\"saidthemasterwithslightembarrassment，\"but\"——
\"EfSHEsaidso，\"interruptedMrs。McKinstryabstractedly，\"sheoughterknow，andyoukintietowhatshesays。\"
\"ButasI’mresponsibletoPARENTSandnottoscholarsforthedisciplineofmyschool，\"returnedtheyoungmanalittlestiffly，\"IthoughtitmydutytohearitfromYOU。\"
\"That’sso，\"saidMrs。McKinstrymeditatively；\"thenIreckonyou’dbetterseeHiram。Thatar’SethDavisengagementwasamatterofhernandherfather’s，andnotinMYline。I’sposethatHiramnat’rallyallowstosetthethingsquaretoyouandinquirin’
friends。\"
\"Ihopeyouunderstand，\"saidthemaster，slightlyresentingtheclassification，\"thatmyreasonforinquiringaboutthepermanencyofyourdaughter’sattendancewassimplybecauseitmightbenecessarytoarrangeherstudiesinawaymoresuitabletoheryears；perhapseventosuggesttoyouthatayoungladies’seminarymightbemoresatisfactory\"——
\"Sartain，sartain，\"interruptedMrs。McKinstryhurriedly，butwhetherfromevasionofannoyingsuggestionorwearinessofthetopic，themastercouldnotdetermine。\"You’dbetterspeaktoHiramaboutit。On’y，\"shehesitatedslightly，\"ezhe’sgotnowsortersetandpintedtowardsyourschool，andisatrifleworritedwithstockandthemHarrisons，yemighttechitlightly。Heoughterbealongyernow。Ican’tthinkwhatkeepshim。\"Hereyewanderedagainwithtroubledpreoccupationtothecornerwhereherhusband’sSharps’riflestood。SuddenlysheraisedhervoiceasifforgetfulofMr。Ford’spresence。
\"OCressy！\"
\"OMaw！\"
Theresponsecamefromtheinnerroom。ThenextmomentCressyappearedatthedoorwithanoddhalf-lazydefianceinhermanner，whichthemastercouldnotunderstandexceptuponthehypothesisthatshehadbeenlistening。Shehadalreadychangedherelaboratetoiletforalongclinging，coarsebluegown，thataccentedthegracefulcurvesofherslight，petticoat-lessfigure。Noddingherheadtowardsthemaster，shesaid，\"Howdy？\"andturnedtohermother，whopracticallyignoredtheirpersonalacquaintance。
\"Cressy，\"shesaid，\"Dad’sgoneandlefthisSharps’yer，d’yemindtakin’italongtomeethim，aforehepassestheBoundarycorner。
Yemighttellhimtheteacher’syer，wantin’toseehim。\"
\"Onemoment，\"saidthemaster，astheyounggirlcarelesslysteppedtothecornerandliftedtheweapon。\"LetMEtakeit。It’sallonmywaybacktoschoolandI’llmeethim。\"
Mrs。McKinstrylookedperturbed。Cressyopenedhercleareyesonthemasterwithevidentsurprise。\"No，Mr。Ford，\"saidMrs。
McKinstry，withherformermaternalmanner。\"Ye’dbetternotmixyourselfupwiththeseyerdoin’s。Ye’venocalltodoit，andCressyhas；it’sallinthefamily。Butit’souterYOURline，andthemHarrisonwhelpsgotoyourschool。Fancytheteachertakin’
weppinsbetwixtandbetween！\"
\"It’sfitterworkfortheteacherthanforoneofhisscholars，andayoungladyatthat，\"saidMr。Fordgravely，ashetooktheriflefromthehandsofthehalf-amused，half-reluctantgirl。\"It’squitesafewithme，andIpromiseIshalldeliveritintoMr。
McKinstry’shandsandnoneother。\"
\"Perhapsitwouldn’tbeezlikelytobegin’rallynoticedezitwouldifoneofUScarriedit，\"murmuredMrs。McKinstryinconfidentialabstraction，gazingatherdaughtersublimelyunconsciousofthepresenceofathirdparty。
\"You’requiteright，\"saidthemastercomposedly，throwingtherifleoverhisshoulderandturningtowardsthedoor。\"SoI’llsaygood-afternoon，andtryandfindyourhusband。\"
Mrs。McKinstryconstrainedlypluckedatthefoldsofhercoarsegown。\"Ye’lllikeadrinkaforeyego，\"shesaid，inanill-
concealedtoneofrelief。\"Icleanforgotmymanners。Cressy，fetchoutthatdemijohn。\"
\"Notforme，thankyou，\"returnedMr。Fordsmiling。
\"Oh，Isee——you’retemperance，nat’rally，\"saidMrs。McKinstrywithatolerantsigh。
\"Hardlythat，\"returnedthemaster，\"Ifollownorule，Idrinksometimes——butnotto-day。\"
Mrs。McKinstry’sdarkfacecontracted。\"Don’tyousee，Maw，\"
struckinCressyquickly。\"Teacherdrinkssometimes，buthedon’tUSEwhiskey。That’sall。\"
Hermother’sfacerelaxed。Cressyslippedoutofthedoorbeforethemaster，andprecededhimtothegate。Whenshehadreacheditsheturnedandlookedintohisface。
\"WhatdidMawsaytoyeraboutseein’mejustnow？\"
\"Idon’tunderstandyou。\"
\"Toyourseein’meandJoeMastersonthetrail？\"
\"Shesaidnothing。\"
\"Humph，\"saidCressymeditatively。\"Whatwasityoutoldheraboutit？\"
\"Nothing。\"
\"ThenyouDIDN’Tseeus？\"
\"Isawyouwithsomeone——Idon’tknowwhom。\"
\"Andyoudidn’ttellMaw？\"
\"Ididnot。Itwasnoneofmybusiness。\"
Heinstantlysawtheutterinconsistencyofthisspeechinconnectionwiththereasonhebelievedhehadincoming。Butitwastoolatetorecallit，andshewaslookingathimwithabrightbutsingularexpression。
\"ThatJoeMastersistheconceitedestfellowgoin’。Itoldhimyoucouldseehisfoolishness。\"
\"Ah，indeed。\"
Mr。Fordpushedopenthegate。Asthegirlstilllingeredhewasobligedtoholditamomentbeforepassingthrough。
\"Mawcouldn’tquitehitchontoyournotdrinkin’。Shereckonsyou’relikeeverybodyelseaboutyer。That’swheresheslipsuponyou。Andeverybodyelse，Ikalkilate。\"
\"Isupposeshe’ssomewhatanxiousaboutyourfather，andIdaresayisexpectingmetohurry，\"returnedthemasterpointedly。
\"Oh，dad’sallright，\"saidCressymischievously。\"You’llcomeacrosshimoveryon，intheclearing。Butyou’relookingrightpurtywiththatgun。Itkindersetsyouoff。Yououghterwearone。\"
Themastersmiledslightly，said\"Good-by，\"andtookleaveofthegirl，butnotofhereyes，whichwerestillfollowinghim。Evenwhenhehadreachedtheendofthelaneandglancedbackattheramblingdwelling，shewasstillleaningonthegatewithonefootonthelowerrailandherchincuppedinthehollowofherhand。
Shemadeaslightgesture，notclearlyintelligibleatthatdistance；itmighthavebeenamischievousimitationofthewayhehadthrownthegunoverhisshoulder，itmighthavebeenawaftedkiss。
Themasterhowevercontinuedhiswayinnoveryself-satisfiedmood。AlthoughhedidnotregrethavingtakentheplaceofCressyasthepurveyoroflethalweaponsbetweenthebelligerentparties，heknewhewastacitlyminglinginthefeudbetweenpeopleforwhomhecaredlittleornothing。ItwastruethattheHarrisonssenttheirchildrentohisschool，andthatinthefiercepartisanshipofthelocalitythissimplecourtesywasopentomisconstruction。
Buthewasmoreuneasilyconsciousthatthismission，sofarasMrs。McKinstrywasconcerned，wasamiserablefailure。Thestrangerelationsofthemotheranddaughterperhapsexplainedmuchofthegirl’sconduct，butitofferednohopeoffutureamelioration。
Wouldthefather，\"worritedbystock\"andboundaryquarrels——amaninthehabitofcuttingGordianknotswithabowieknife——provemorereasonable？Wasthereanynearersympathybetweenfatheranddaughter？ButshehadsaidhewouldmeetMcKinstryintheclearing：shewasright，forherehewascomingforwardatagallop！
CHAPTERIII。
Whenwithinadozenpacesofthemaster，McKinstry，scarcelycheckinghismustang，threwhimselffromthesaddle，andwithasharpcutofhisriataontheanimal’shaunchessenthimstillgallopingtowardsthedistanthouse。Then，withbothhandsdeeplythrustinthesidepocketsofhislong，looselinencoat，heslowlyloungedwithclankingspurstowardstheyoungman。Hewasthick-
set，ofmediumheight，denselyandreddishlybearded，withheavy-
liddedpaleblueeyesthatworealookofdrowsypain，andaftertheirfirstweariedglanceatthemaster，seemedtorestanywherebutonhim。
\"YourwifewassendingyouyourriflebyCressy，\"saidthemaster，\"butIofferedtobringitmyself，asIthoughtitscarcelyapropererrandforayounglady。Hereitis。Ihopeyoudidn’tmissitbeforeanddon’trequireitnow，\"headdedquietly。
Mr。McKinstrytookitinonehandwithanairofslightlyembarrassedsurprise，resteditagainsthisshoulder，andthenwiththesamehandandwithoutremovingtheotherfromhispocket，tookoffhissoftfelthat，showedabullet-holeinitsrim，andreturnedlazily，\"It’sabouthalfanhourlate，butthemHarrisonsreckonedIwasfixedfor’emandwartoonarvoustodrawaclearbeadonme。\"
Themomentwasevidentlynotafelicitousoneforthemaster’spurpose，buthewasdeterminedtogoon。Hehesitatedaninstant，whenhiscompanion，whoseemedtobeequallybutmoresluggishlyembarrassed，inamomentofpreoccupiedperplexitywithdrewfromhispockethisrighthandswathedinablood-stainedbandage，andfollowingsomeinstinctivehabit，attempted，asifreflectively，toscratchhisheadwithtwostiffenedfingers。
\"Youarehurt，\"saidthemaster，genuinelyshocked，\"andhereIamdetainingyou。\"
\"Ihadmyhandup——so，\"explainedMcKinstry，withheavydeliberation，\"andtheballrakedoffmylittlefingerafteritwentthroughmyhat。Butthatain’twhatIwantedtosaywhenIstoppedye。I
ain’tjustkamenoughyet，\"heapologizedinthecalmestmanner，\"andIcleanforgitmyself，\"headdedwithperfectself-possession。
\"ButIwaskalkilatin’toaskyou\"——helaidhisbandagedhandfamiliarlyonthemaster’sshoulder——\"ifCressykemallright？\"
\"Perfectly，\"saidthemaster。\"Butshan’tIwalkonhomewithyou，andwecantalktogetherafteryourwoundisattendedto？\"
\"Andshelookedpurty？\"continuedMcKinstrywithoutmoving。
\"Very。\"
\"Andyouthoughtthemnewstoregowndsofhersrightpeart？\"
\"Yes，\"saidthemaster。\"Perhapsalittletoofinefortheschool，youknow，\"headdedinsinuatingly，\"and\"——
\"Notforher——notforher，\"interruptedMcKinstry。\"Ireckonthar’smorewharthatcamfrom！Yeneedn’tfearbutthatshekinkeepupthatgaitezlongezHiramMcKinstryheztherunnin’ofher。\"
Mr。Fordgazedhopelesslyatthehideousranchinthedistance，atthesky，andthetrailbeforehim；thenhisglancefelluponthehandstilluponhisshoulder，andhestruggledwithafinaleffort。
\"AtanothertimeI’dliketohavealongtalkwithyouaboutyourdaughter，Mr。McKinstry。\"
\"Talkon，\"saidMcKinstry，puttinghiswoundedhandthroughthemaster’sarm。\"Iadmiretohearyou。You’rethatkam，itdoesmegood。\"
Neverthelessthemasterwasconsciousthathisownarmwasscarcelyasfirmashiscompanion’s。Itwashoweveruselesstodrawbacknow，andwithasmuchtactashecouldcommandherelievedhismindofitspurpose。Addressingtheobtrudingbandagebeforehim，hedweltuponCressy’spreviousattitudeintheschool，thedangerofanyrelapse，thenecessityofherhavingamoreclearlydefinedpositionasascholar，andeventheadvisabilityofherbeingtransferredtoamoreadvancedschoolwithamorematureteacherofherownsex。\"ThisiswhatIwishedtosaytoMrs。McKinstryto-
day，\"heconcluded，\"butshereferredmetoyou。\"
\"Incourse，incourse，\"saidMcKinstry，noddingcomplacently。
\"She’sagoodwomaninandaroundtheranch，andinanydoin’so’
thiskind，\"helightlywavedhiswoundedarmintheair，\"thereain’tabetter，tho’Isayit。ShewasBlairRawlins’darter；sheandherbrotherClaybein’theonlyonesthatkemoutsafeartertheirtwentyyears’fightwiththeMcEnteesinWestKaintuck。Butshedon’tunderstandgalsezyouandmedo。NotthatI’mmuch，ezIorterbemorekam。AndtheoldwomanjestsizedthehullthingwhenshesaidSHEhadn’tanyhandinCressy’sengagement。Nomoreshehad！Andezfarezthatgoes，nomoredidme，norSethDavis，norCressy。\"Hepaused，andliftinghisheavy-liddedeyestothemasterforthesecondtime，saidreflectively，\"Yemustn’tmindmytellin’ye——ezbetwixtmanandman——thatTHEoneezismostresponsibleforthemakin’andbreakin’o’thatengagementisYOU！\"
\"Me！\"saidthemasterinutterbewilderment。
\"You！\"repeatedMcKinstryquietly，reinstallingthehandFordhadattemptedtowithdraw。\"Iain’tsayin’yeeitherknow’ditorkalkilatedonit。Butitwarso。Efye’dharktome，andmeanderonalittle，I’lltellyeHOWitwar。Idon’tmindwalkin’apieceYOURway，forifwegotowardstheranch，andthehoundsseeme，they’llsetuparacketandbringouttheoldwoman，andthengood-
bytoanyconfidentialtalkbetwixtyouandme。AndI’m，somehow，kammeroutyer。\"
Hemovedslowlydownthetrail，stillholdingFord’sarmconfidentially，although，owingtohislargeprotectingmanner，heseemedtoofferaridiculoussuggestionofsupportingHIMwithhiswoundedmember。
\"WhenyoufirstkemtoInjinSpring，\"hebegan，\"SethandCressywasgoin’toschool，boyandgirllike，andnothin’more。They’dknowneachotherfrombabies——theDavisesbein’ourneighborsinKaintuck，andemigraten’withusfromSt。Joe。SethmouthevcottonedtoCress，andCresstohim，incourseo’time，andtherewasn’tanythin’betwixtthefamiliestohevkept’emfrommarryin’
whentheywanted。Butthereneverwaranywordspassed，andnoengagement。\"
\"But，\"interruptedFordhastily，\"mypredecessor，Mr。Martin，distinctlytoldmethattherewas，andthatitwaswithYOUR
permission。\"
\"That’sonlybecauseyounoticedsuthin’thefirstdayyoulookedovertheschoolwithMartin。’Dad，’sezCresstome，’thatnewteacher’sverypeart；andhe’sthatkeenaboutnoticin’meandSeththatIreckonyou’dbettergivoutthatwe’reengaged。’’Butareyou？’sezI。’It’llcometothatintheend，’sezCress，’andifthatyerteacherhezcomeherewithNorthernideaso’society，it’sjustezwelltolethimseeInjinSpringain’tentirelyinthewoodsaboutthemthingseither。’SoIagreed，andMartintoldyouitwasallright；CressandSethwasanengagedcouple，andyouwastotakenonotice。AndthenYOUupsandobjectstothehullthing，andallowsthatcourtin’inschool，evenamongengagedpupils，ain’tproper。\"
ThemasterturnedhiseyeswithsomeuneasinesstothefaceofCressy’sfather。Itwasheavybutimpassive。
\"Idon’tmindtellin’you，nowthatit’sover，whathappened。Thetroublewithme，Mr。Ford，is——Iain’tkam！andYOUair，andthat’swhatgotme。ForwhenIheardwhatyou’dsaid，Igotonthatmustangandstartedfortheschool-housetocleanyououtandgiv’
youfiveminutestoleaveInjinSpring。Idon’tknowezyourememberthatday。I’dkalkilatedmytimesoeztoketchyecomin’
outo’school，butIwastooairly。Ihungaroundouto’sight，andthenhitchedmyhosstoabuckeyeandpeepedinterthewindertohevagoodlookatye。Itwasveryquietandkam。Therewassquirrelsovertheroof，yellow-jacketsandbeesdronin’away，andkindersleeping-likeallaroundintheair，andjay-birdstwitterin’intheshingles，andtheynevermindedme。Youweremovin’upanddownamongthemlittlegalsandboys，liftin’uptheirheadsandtalkin’to’emsoftlyandquietlike，ezifyouwasoneofthemyourself。Andtheylookedcontentedandkam。Andonct——Idon’tknowifYOUrememberit——youkemcloseuptothewinderwithyourhandsbehindyou，andlookedoutsokamandquietandsofaroff，ezifeverybodyelseoutsidetheschoolwasmilesawayfromyou。ItkemtomethenthatI’dgivenaheaptohevhadtheoldwomanseeyouthar。Itkemtome，Mr。Ford，thattherewasn’tanyplaceforMEthar；anditkemtome，too——andalittleroughlike——thatmebbeetherewasn’tanyplacethereforMYCresseither！SoIrodeawaywithoutdisturbin’younorthebirdsnorthesquirrels。Talkin’withCressthatnight，shesaidezhowitwasafairsampleofwhathappenedeveryday，andthatyou’dalwaystreatedherfairliketheothers。Sosheallowedthatshe’dgodowntoSacramento，andgetsomethingsaginherandSethbein’
marriednextmonth，andshereckonedshewouldn’ttroubleyounortheschoolagin。HarktillI’vedone，Mr。Ford，\"hecontinued，astheyoungmanmadeaslightmovementofdeprecation。\"Well，I
agreed。ButartershegottoSacramentoandboughtsomefancyfixin’s，shewrotetomeandsezezhowshe’dbeenthinkin’thehullthingover，andshereckonedthatsheandSethweretooyoungtomarry，andtheengagementhadbetterbebroke。AndIbrokeitforher。\"
\"Buthow？\"askedthebewilderedmaster。
\"Gin’rallywiththisgun，\"returnedMcKinstrywithslowgravity，indicatingtheriflehewascarrying，\"forIain’tkam。IletontoSeth’sfatherthatifIeverfoundSethandCressytogetheragain，I’dshoothim。Itmadeasorto’coolnessbetwixtthefamilies，andhezgivensomecomforttothemlow-downHarrisons；
buteventhelaw，Ireckon，recognizesafather’srights。AndezCresssez，nowezSeth’souto’theway，tharain’tnoreasonwhyshecan’tgobacktoschoolandfinishhereddication。AndI
reckonedshewasright。Andwebothagreedthatezshe’dleftschooltogitthemstoreclothes，itwasonlyfairthatshe’dgivetheschoolthebenefitof’em。\"
Thecaseseemedmorehopelessthanever。Themasterknewthatthemanbesidehimmighthardlyproveaslenienttoasecondobjectionathishand。Butthatveryreason，perhaps，impelledhim，nowthatheknewhisdanger，toconsideritmorestronglyasaduty，andhispriderevoltedfromapossiblethreatunderlyingMcKinstry’sconfidences。Neverthelesshebegangently：
\"Butyouarequitesureyouwon’tregretthatyoudidn’tavailyourselfofthisbrokenengagement，andyourdaughter’soutfit——tosendhertosomelargerboarding-schoolinSacramentoorSanFrancisco？Don’tyouthinkshemayfinditdull，andsoontireofthecompanyofmerechildrenwhenshehasalreadyknowntheexcitementof\"——hewasabouttosay\"alover，\"butcheckedhimself，andadded，\"ayounggirl’sfreedom？\"
\"Mr。Ford，\"returnedMcKinstry，withtheslowandfatuousmisconceptionofaone-ideaedman，\"whenIsaidjustnowthat，lookin’interthatkam，peacefulschoolofyours，Ididn’tfindaplaceforCress，itwarn’tbecauseIdidn’tthinksheOUGHTERhevaplacethar。Tharwasthattharwotsheneverhadezalittlegirlwithmeandtheoldwoman，andthatshecouldn’tfindezagrowndupgirlinanyboarding-school——thehomeofachild；thatkindo’
innocentfoolishnessthatIsometimesreckonmusthevslippedouterouremigrantwagoncomin’acrosstheplains，orgotleftbehindatSt。Joe。Shewasagrowndgirlfittomarryaforeshewasachild。
Shehadyoungfellersa-sparkin’heraforesheeverplayedwith’emezboyandgirl。Idon’tmindtellin’youthatitwern’tinthenaturofBlairRawlins’dartertoteachherowndarteranybetter，forallshe’sbeenamightyhelptome。Soifit’sallthesametoyou，Mr。Ford，wewon’ttalkaboutagrowndupschool；I’dratherCressbealittlegirlagainamongthemotherchildren。IshouldbeapowerfulsightmorekamifIknowedthatwhenIwasawayhuntin’stockorfightin’stakeswiththemHarrisons，thatshewasasettin’therewiththemandthebirdsandthebees，andlistenin’
tothemandtoyou。Mebbeethere’sbeenalittletoomanyscrimmagesgoin’onroundtheranchsenceshe’sbeenachild；
mebbeesheorterknowsuthin’moreofamanthanafellerwhosparksherandfightsforher。\"
Themasterwassilent。Hadthisdull，narrow-mindedpartisanstumbleduponatruththathadneverdawneduponhisownbroadercomprehension？Hadthisselfishsavageandliterallyred-handedfrontierbrawlerbeenmovedbysomedumbinstinctofthepowerofgentlenesstounderstandhisdaughter’sneedsbetterthanhe？Foramomenthewasstaggered。ThenhethoughtofCressy’slaterflirtationswithJoeMasters，andherconcealmentoftheirmeetingfromhermother。Hadshedeceivedherfatheralso？Orwasnotthefatherdeceivinghimwiththisalternatesuggestionofthreatandofkindliness——ofpowerandweakness。HehadheardofthiscruelphaseofSouthwesterncunningbefore。Withthefeeblesophistryofthecynichemistrustedthegoodhisscepticismcouldnotunderstand。Howbeit，glancingsidewaysattheslumberingsavageryofthemanbesidehim，andhiswoundedhand，hedidnotcaretoshowhislackofconfidence。Hecontentedhimselfwiththatequallyfeebleresourceofweakhumanityinsuchcases——good-
naturedindifference。\"Allright，\"hesaidcarelessly；\"I’llseewhatcanbedone。Butareyouquitesureyouarefittogohomealone？ShallIaccompanyyou？\"AsMcKinstrywaivedthesuggestionwithagesture，headdedlightly，asiftoconcludetheinterview，\"I’llreportprogresstoyoufromtimetotime，ifyoulike。\"
\"ToME，\"emphasizedMcKinstry；\"notoverTHAR，\"indicatingtheranch。\"Butp’rhapsyouwouldn’tmindmyridin’byandlookin’inattheschool-roomwinderonctinawhile？Ah——youWOULD，\"headded，withthefirstdeepeningofcolorhehadshown。\"Well，nevermind。\"
\"Youseeitmightdistractthechildrenfromtheirlessons，\"
explainedthemastergently，whohadhowevercontemplatedwithsomeconcerntheinfinitedelightwhichaglimpseofMcKinstry’sfieryandfatuousfaceatthewindowwouldawakeninJohnnyFilgee’sinfantbreast。
\"Well，nomatter！\"returnedMcKinstryslowly。\"Yedon’tkeer，I
s’pose，tocomeovertothehotelandtakesuthin’？Ajuleporasmash？\"
\"Ishouldn’tthinkofkeepingyouamomentlongerfromMrs。
McKinstry，\"saidthemaster，lookingathiscompanion’swoundedhand。\"Thankyouallthesame。Good-by。\"
Theyshookhands，McKinstrytransferringhisrifletothehollowofhiselbowtoofferhisunwoundedleft。Themasterwatchedhimslowlyresumehiswaytowardstheranch。Thenwithahalfuneasyandhalfpleasurablesensethathehadtakensomestepwhoseconsequencesweremoreimportantthanhewouldatpresentunderstand，heturnedintheoppositedirectiontotheschool-
house。HewassopreoccupiedthatitwasnotuntilhehadnearlyreacheditthatherememberedUncleBen。WithanoddrecollectionofMcKinstry’spreviousperformance，heapproachedtheschoolfromthethicketintherearandslippednoiselesslytotheopenwindowwiththeintentionoflookingin。Buttheschool-house，farfromexhibitingthat\"kam\"andstudiousabstractionwhichhadsotouchedthesavagebreastofMcKinstry，wasfilledwiththeaccentsofyouthfulandunrestrainedvituperation。ThevoiceofRupertFilgeecamesharplytothemaster’sastonishedears。
\"Youneedn’ttrytoplayoffDobellorMitchellonME——youhear！
MuchYOUknowofeither，don’tyou？Lookatthatcopy。IfJohnnycouldn’tdobetterthanthat，I’dlickhim。Ofcourseit’sthepen——itain’tyourstodgyfingers——oh，no！P’r’apsyou’dliketohevafewmoreboxeso’quillsandgoldpensandGillott’sbestthrownin，fortwobitsalesson？Itellyouwhat！I’llthrowupthecontractinanotherminit！Theregoesanotherquillbusted！
Lookhere，whatYOUwantain’tapen，butaclothes-pinandasplitnail！That’llaboutjibewithyourdilikitgait。\"
Themasteratoncesteppedtothewindowand，unobserved，tookaquicksurveyoftheinterior。Followingsomeingeniousideaofhisownregardingfitness，thebeautifulFilgeehadinducedUncleBentoseathimselfonthefloorbeforeoneofthesmallestdesks，presumablyhisbrother’s，inanattitudewhich，whileitcertainlygavehimconsiderableelbow-roomforthosecontortionscommontoimmaturepenmanship，offeredhisyouthfulinstructorasuperioreminence，fromwhichhehovered，occasionallyswoopingdownuponhisgrown-uppupillikeamischievousbutgracefuljay。ButMr。
Ford’smostdistinctimpressionwasthat，farfromresentingthederogatorypositionandtheabusethataccompaniedit，UncleBennotonlybeameduponhispersecutorwithunquenchablegoodhumor，butwithundisguisedadmiration，andshowednottheslightestinclinationtoaccepthisproposedresignation。
\"Goslow，Roop，\"hesaidcheerfully。\"Youwasonctaboyyourself。
Nat’rallyIkalkilatetostandallthedamages。You’vegotterwastesomepowderoverablastlikethisyer，waydowntothebedrock。NexttimeI’llbringmyownpens。\"
\"Do。SomefromtheDobellschoolyouustergoto，\"suggestedthedarklyironicalRupert。\"Theywasiron-cladinjin-rubber，warn’tthey？\"
\"Neveryoumindwottheywere，\"saidUncleBengood-humoredly。
\"Lookatthatstringof’C’s’inthatline。There’snothingmeanaboutTHEM。\"
Heputhispenbetweenhisteeth，raisedhimselfslowlyonhislegs，andshadinghiseyeswithhishandfromthesevereperspectiveofsixfeet，gazedadmiringlydownuponhiswork。
Rupert，withhishandsinhispocketsandhisbacktothewindow，cynicallyassistedattheinspection。
\"Wot’sthatsickwormatthebottomofthepage？\"heasked。
\"Wotmightyouthinkitwos？\"saidUncleBenbeamingly。
\"Lookslikeoneo’themsnakerootsyoudigupwithalittlemudstucktoit，\"returnedRupertcritically。
\"That’smyname。\"
Theybothstoodlookingatitwiththeirheadsverymuchononeside。\"Itain’tsobadastherestyou’vedone。ItMIGHTbeyourname。Thatez，itdon’tlooklikeanythin’else，\"suggestedRupert，struckwithanewideathatitwasperhapsmoreprofessionaloccasionallytoencouragehispupil。\"Youmightgetonincourseo’
time。Butwhatareyoudoin’allthisfor？\"heaskedsuddenly。
\"Doin’what？\"
\"Thisyercomin’toschoolwhenyouain’tsent，andyouain’tgotnocalltogo——you，agrown-upman！\"
ThecolordeepenedinUncleBen’sfacetothebackofhisears。\"Wotwouldyougiv’toknow，Roop？S’poseIreckonedsomedaytomakeastrikeandsorterdropintersacietyeasy——eh？S’poseIwantedtobereadytokeepupmyendwiththeotherfellers，whenthetimekem？Tobeabletoslingpo’tryandreadnovelsandsich——eh？\"
AnexpressionofinfiniteandunutterablescorndawnedintheeyesofRupert。\"Youdo？Well，\"herepeatedwithslowandcuttingdeliberation，\"I’lltellyouwhatyou’recomin’herefor，andtheonlythingthatmakesyoucome。\"
\"What？\"
\"It’s——some——girl！\"
UncleBenbrokeintoaboisterouslaughthatmadetheroofshake，stampingaboutandslappinghislegstillthecrazyfloortrembled。
Butatthatmomentthemastersteppedtotheperchandmadeaquietbutdiscomposingentrance。
CHAPTERIV。
ThereturnofMissCressidaMcKinstrytoIndianSpringandherinterruptedstudieswasaneventwhoseeffectswerenotentirelyconfinedtotheschool。Thebrokenengagementitselfseemedoflittlemomentinthegeneralestimationcomparedtoherresumptionofheroldfootingasascholar。Afewill-naturedeldersofherownsex，andnaturallyexemptfromthediscriminatingretortofMr。
McKinstry’s\"shot-gun，\"allegedthattheSeminaryatSacramentohaddeclinedtoreceiveher，butthemajorityacceptedherreturnwithlocalprideasapracticalcomplimenttotheeducationalfacilitiesofIndianSpring。TheTuolumne\"Star，\"withabreadthandeloquencetouchinglydisproportionatetoitsactualsizeandqualityoftypeandpaper，referredtothepossible\"growthofagroveofAcademusatIndianSpring，underwhosecloisteredboughsfuturesagesandstatesmenwerenowmeditating，\"inawaythatmadethemasterfeelexceedinglyuncomfortable。ForsomedaysthetrailbetweentheMcKinstrys’ranchandtheschool-housewaslightlypatrolledbyreliefsofsusceptibleyoungmen，towhomtheenfranchisedCressida，relievedfromthedangeroussupervisionoftheDavis-McKinstryclique，wasanobjectofambitiousadmiration。Theyounggirlherself，who，inspiteofthemaster’sannoyance，seemedtobefollowingsomeconscientiousdutyinconsecutivelyarrayingherselfinthedifferentdressesshehadbought，howevershemayhavetantalizedheradmirersbythisrevelationofbridalfinery，didnotventuretobringthemnearthelimitsoftheplay-ground。ItstruckthemasterwithsomesurprisethatIndianSpringdidnotseemtotroubleitselfinregardtohisownprivilegedrelationswithitsrusticenchantress；theyoungmenclearlywerenotjealousofhim；
nomatronhadsuggestedanyindecoruminayounggirlofCressy’syearsandantecedentsbeingintrustedtotheteachingsofayoungmanscarcelyhersenior。NotwithstandingtheattitudewhichMr。
Fordhadbeenpleasedtoassumetowardsher，thisimpliedcomplimenttohissupposedmonasticvocationsaffectedhimalmostasuncomfortablyasthe\"Star’s\"extravaganteulogium。Hewasobligedtorecallcertainfoolishexperiencesofhisowntoenablehimtorisesuperiortothispresumptionofhisasceticism。
InpursuanceofhispromisetoMcKinstry，hehadprocuredafewelementarybooksofstudysuitabletoCressy’snewposition，without，however，takingheroutofthesmallerclassesorthedisciplineoftheschool。Inafewweekshewasenabledtofurtherimproveherattitudebymakinghera\"monitor\"overthesmallergirls，therebydividingcertainfunctionswithRupertFilgee，whoseministrationstothedeceitfuland\"silly\"sexhadbeencharacterizedbyperhapsmorevigilantscornanddisparagementthanwasnecessary。
Cressyhadaccepteditasshehadacceptedhernewstudies，withanindolentgood-humor，andattimesafranklysupremeignoranceoftheirabstractormoralpurposethatwasdiscouraging。\"What’sthegoodofthat？\"shewouldask，liftinghereyesabruptlytothemaster。Mr。Ford，somewhatembarrassedbyherlook，whichalways，soonerorlater，franklyconfesseditselfanexcuseforaperfectlyirrelevantexaminationofhisfeaturesindetail，wouldendingivinghersomeseverelypracticalanswer。Yet，ifthesubjectappealedtoanyparticularidiosyncrasyofherown，shewouldspeedilymasterthestudy。Apassingpredilectionforbotanywasprovokedbyasingleincident。Themasterdeemingthisstudyaharmlessyoung-lady-likeoccupation，hadonedayintroducedthetopicatrecess，andwasmetbytheusualanswer。\"Butsuppose，\"hecontinuedartfully，\"somebodysentyouanonymouslysomeflowers。\"
\"Herho！\"suggestedJohnnyFilgeehoarsely，withboldbadrecklessness。IgnoringtheremarkandthekickwithwhichRuperthadresenteditonthepersonofhisbrother，themastercontinued：
\"Andifyoucouldn’tfindoutwhosentthem，youwouldwantatleasttoknowwhattheywereandwheretheygrew。\"
\"Eftheygrewanywhere’boutyerwecouldtellherthat，\"saidachorusofsmallvoices。
Themasterhesitated。Hewasconsciousofbeingondelicateground。HewassurroundedbyadozenpairsoflittlekeeneyesfromwhomNaturehadneveryetsucceededinhidinghersecrets——
eyesthathadwaitedforandknewthecomingupoftheearliestflowers；littlefingersthathadneverturnedthepagesofatext-
book，butknewwheretoscrapeawaythedeadleavesabovethefirstanemone，orhadgropedpainfullyamongthelifelessbranchesinforgottenhollowsfortheshydog-rose；unguidedlittlefeetthathadinstinctivelymadetheirwaytoremotesouthernslopesforthefirstmariposas，orhadunerringlythreadedthetule-hiddenbanksoftheriverforflower-de-luce。Convincedthathecouldnotholdhisownontheirlevel，heshamelesslystruckatonceaboveit。
\"Supposethatoneofthoseflowers，\"hecontinued，\"wasnotliketherest；thatitsstalksandleaves，insteadofbeinggreenandsoft，werewhiteandstringylikeflannelasiftoprotectitfromcold，wouldn’titbenicetobeabletosayatoncethatithadlivedonlyinthesnow，andthatsomeonemusthavegoneallthatwayupthereabovethesnowlinetopickit？\"Thechildren，takenabackbythisunfairintroductionofafloralstranger，weresilent。Cressythoughtfullyacceptedbotanyonthosepossibilities。
Aweeklatershelaidonthemaster’sdeskalimp-lookingplantwithastalklikeheavyfrayedworstedyarn。\"Itain’tmuchtolookatafterall，isit？\"shesaid。\"IreckonIcouldcutabetteronewithscissorsouteranoldclothjacketofmine。\"
\"Andyoufoundithere？\"askedthemasterinsurprise。
\"IgotMasterstolookforitwhenhewasontheSummit。Idescribedittohim。Ididn’tallowhehadthegumptiontogetit。Buthedid。\"
Althoughbotanylanguishedslightlyafterthisvicariouseffort，itkeptCressyinfreshbouquets，andextendingitsgentleinfluencetoherfriendsandacquaintancesbecameslightlyconfoundedwithhorticulture，ledtotheplantingofoneortwogardens，andwasacceptedinschoolasanimpliedconcessiontoberries，apples，andnuts。InreadingandwritingCressygreatlyimproved，withamarkeddecreaseingrammaticalsolecisms，althoughshestillretainedcertaincharacteristicwords，andalwaysherownslowSouthwestern，halfmusicalintonation。Thislanguiddeliberationwasparticularlynoticeableinherreadingaloud，andgavethestudiedandmeasuredrhetoricacharmofwhichhercarelesscolloquialspeechwasincapable。Eventhe\"FifthReader，\"withitsimposingpassagesfromtheEnglishclassicscarefullyselectedwithaviewofparalyzingsmall，hesitating，orhurriedvoices，inCressy’shandsbecamenolongeranunintelligibleincantation。Shehadquietlymasteredthedifficultiesofpronunciationbysomeinstinctivesenseofeuphonyifnotofcomprehension。Themasterwithhiseyesclosedhardlyrecognizedhispupil。Whetherornotsheunderstoodwhatshereadhehesitatedtoinquire；nodoubt，aswithherotherstudies，sheknewwhatattractedher。RupertFilgee，asympatheticifnotalwaysacorrectreader，whoboldlytookfourandfivesyllabledfencesflyingonlytocometogriefperhapsintheditchofsomerhetoricalpausebeyond，aloneexpressedhisscornofherperformance。OctaviaDean，tornbetweenherhopelessaffectionforthisbeautifulbutinaccessibleboy，andhersoul-friendshipforthisbiggerbutmany-frockedgirl，studiedthemaster’sfacewithwatchfulanxiety。
ItisneedlesstosaythatHiramMcKinstrywas，intheintervalsofstake-drivingandstock-hunting，heavilycontentedwiththislatestevidenceofhisdaughter’sprogress。Heevenintimatedtothemasterthatherreadingbeinganaccomplishmentthatcouldbeexercisedathomewasconducivetothat\"kam\"inwhichhewassodeficient。ItwasalsorumoredthatCressy’soralrenderingofAddison’s\"ReflectionsinWestminsterAbbey\"andBurke’s\"IndictmentofWarrenHastings，\"hadbeguiledhimoneeveningfromimprovinganopportunityto\"plug\"oneofHarrison’sboundary\"raiders。\"
ThemastersharedinCressy’sgloryinthepubliceye。ButalthoughMrs。McKinstrydidnotmateriallychangeherattitudeoftolerantgood-naturetowardshim，hewaspainfullyconsciousthatshelookeduponherdaughter’sstudiesandherhusband’sinterestsinthemasaweaknessthatmightincourseoftimeproduceinfirmityofhomicidalpurposeandbecomeenervatingofeyeandtrigger-finger。AndwhenMr。McKinstrygothimselfappointedasschool-trustee，andwastherebyobligedtominglewithcertainEasternsettlers，——colleaguesontheBoard，——thispossibleweakeningoftheoldsharplydrawnsectionallinebetween\"Yanks\"
andthemselvesgavehergravedoubtsofHiram’sphysicalstamina。