Suzanna looked up at him. "Oh, you're the lame and the halt, too! We took Mabel along on our picnic because her eyes don't match, you know. They don't seem to work together. We are obeying the Bible today, aren't we?"
Old John Massey did not answer, since he was intent upon covering the ground with as little wear and tear on his nerves as possible, and so in silence they walked till they reached Mrs. Procter, still leaning against the tree, but now holding the baby in her arms.
Maizie, Mabel, and Peter all looked with vivid interest at the newcomer.
"Mother," began Suzanna, "this is the gentleman I told you about. He's John Massey; you've seen him on Main Street. He loves to be comfortable. And he doesn't work during the day, either, but he sits in a chair and shouts at a little man, and the little man hops mighty quick, I can tell you."
Mrs. Procter's face went crimson. "How do you do?" she said. She did not meet his keen eyes.
"How do you do, madam," the Eagle Man responded. "Out for an airing with your family?"
"Yes," said Mrs. Procter. "The children were all in a bad humor this morning and so we thought we'd have a picnic."
"Oh, no, mother," said Maizie earnestly, "we weren't in a bad humor. We just didn't like things at home."
"Well, we'll put it that way," smiled her mother, "and so Suzanna suggested a picnic." Mrs. Procter attempted to rise.
"Stay where you are, madam," said the Eagle Man. Mrs. Procter sank back against the tree.