"Nothin'," she said sullenly.

"Did she git mad with ye 'bout somethin'?" said the old man to
Hale. "She never cries 'cept when she's mad." Hale laughed.

"You jes' hush up--both of ye," said the girl with a sharp kick of
her right foot.

"I reckon you can't stamp the ground that fer away from it," said
the old man dryly. "If you don't git the better of that all-fired
temper o' yourn hit's goin' to git the better of you, an' then
I'll have to spank you agin."

"I reckon you ain't goin' to whoop me no more, pap. I'm a-gittin'
too big."

The old man opened eyes and mouth with an indulgent roar of
laughter.

"Come on up to the house," he said to Hale, turning to lead the
way, the little girl following him. The old step-mother was again
a-bed; small Bub, the brother, still unafraid, sat down beside
Hale and the old man brought out a bottle of moonshine.

"I reckon I can still trust ye," he said.

"I reckon you can," laughed Hale.

The liquor was as fiery as ever, but it was grateful, and again
the old man took nearly a tumbler full plying Hale, meanwhile,