"Dyrad—Lessie—little girl! For God's sake—speak!"
Then came the miracle.
Again she started, as from a revery rudely interrupted. Her head was lifted quickly, gladly, and her big moist eyes gazed into mine glowing with tender faith. I know the dawn of an eternal Day will never thrill me as did this. I drew my face closer to hers.
"Then you—do forgive? Why were you silent so long, Dryad?"
"I's thinkin' 'bout—if Buck—ur th' light'n'—had killed you!"
"Who-a-a-a—Lessie! Who-a-a-a—Lessie! Whur air yo'?"
We jumped, and a revulsion of feeling which came near to suffocating me swelled in my throat. Granf'er was coming down the winding path from the house. He had a brown jug in one hand. He had halted to give his hail, and an instant later Lessie was on her feet, waving her sunbonnet and sending back a lusty yell.