Artfully evading the question whether high india-rubber boots were an indispensable feature of a girl's clothing, Gabriel continued with easy indifference—"I think I'll drop in on Mrs. Markle on my way to the Gulch this morning."
He glanced under his eyelids at as much of his sister's face as was visible behind the slice of bread she was consuming.
"Take me with you, Gabe?"
"No," said Gabriel, "you must stay here and do up the house; and mind you keep out o' the woods until your work's done. Besides," he added, loftily, "I've got some business with Mrs. Markle."
"Oh, Gabe!" said Olly, shining all over her face with gravy and archness.
"I'd like to know what's the matter with you, Olly," said Gabriel, with dignified composure.
"Ain't you ashamed, Gabe?"
Gabriel did not stop to reply, but rose, gathered up his tools, and took his hat from the corner. He walked to the door, but suddenly turned and came back to Olly.
"Olly," he said, taking her face in both hands, after his old fashion, "ef anything at any time should happen to me, I want ye to think, my darling, ez I always did my best for you, Olly, for you. Wotever I did was always for the best."
Olly thought instantly of the river.