"Glad to know you, ma'am," said Yancy.

Miss Malroy faced him, smiling. She, too, was very good to look
upon, indeed she was quite radiant with youth and beauty.

"We are just returning from Scratch Hill--I think that is what
you call it?" said Mrs. Ferris.

"So we do," agreed Yancy.

"And the dear little boy we met is your nephew, is he not, Mr.
Yancy?" It was Betty Malroy who spoke.

"In a manner he is and in a manner he ain't," explained Yancy,
somewhat enigmatically.

"There are quite a number of children at Scratch Hill?" suggested
Mrs. Ferris.

"Yes, ma'am, so there are; a body would naturally notice that."

"And no school--not a church even!" continued Mrs. Ferris in a
grieved tone.

"Never has been," rejoined Yancy cheerfully. He seemed to
champion the absence of churches and schools on the score of long
usage.

"But what do the people do when they want to go to church?"
questioned Mrs. Ferris.