But the little “Colonel” took no heed. She looked beyond him at the vague blue mountains, against which the great grim rock was heavily imposed, every ledge, every waving dead crisp weed, distinct.
He noticed the smoke curling briskly up in the sunshine from the clay and slick chimney. He strode past her into the house, as Eugenia, with all semblance of youth faded from her countenance, haggard and hollow-eyed in the morning light, was hurrying the corn-dodgers and venison steak on the table.
Perhaps he did not appreciate that the women were pining with curiosity, for he vouchsafed no word of the excitements in the little town; and he himself was ill at ease.
“What ails the Cunnel, 'Genie?” he asked, presently, glancing up sharply from under his hat brim, and speaking with his mouth full.
“The cat 'pears ter hev got her tongue,” said Eugenia, intending that the “Colonel” should hear, and perhaps profit. “She ain't able ter talk none this mornin'.”
The little body cast so frowning a glance upon them as she stood in the doorway that her expression was but slightly less lowering than her father's. It was an incongruous demonstration, with her infantile features, her little yellow head, and the slight physical force she represented. She wore a blue cotton frock, fastened up the back with great horn buttons; she had on shoes laced with leather strings; one of her blue woollen stockings fell over her ankle, disclosing the pinkest of plump calves; the other stocking was held in place by an unabashed cotton string. She had a light in her dark eyes and a color in her cheek, and albeit so slight a thing, she wielded a strong coercion.
“Laws-a-massy, Cunnel!” said Tobe, in a harried manner, “couldn't ye find me nowhar? I'm powerful sorry. I couldn't git back hyar no sooner.”
But not in this wise was she to be placated. She fixed her eyes upon him, but made no sign.
He suddenly rose from his half-finished breakfast. “Look-a-hyar, Cunnel,” he cried, joyously, “don't ye want ter ride the filly?—ye knew ye hanker ter ride the filly.”
Even then she tried to frown, but the bliss of the prospect overbore her. Her cheek and chin dimpled, and there was a gurgling display of two rows of jagged little teeth as the doughty “Colonel” was swung to his shoulder and he stepped out of the door.