“Wouldn't you like to go over to the Gap with me sometimes?”
Straightway her face was a ray of sunlight.
“Would—I like—to—go—over—”
She stopped suddenly and pulled in her horse, but Hale had heard nothing.
“Hello!” shouted a voice from the bushes, and Devil Judd Tolliver issued from them with an axe on his shoulder. “I heerd you'd come back an' I'm glad to see ye.” He came down to the road and shook Hale's hand heartily.
“Whut you been cryin' about?” he added, turning his hawk-like eyes on the little girl.
“Nothin',” she said sullenly.
“Did she git mad with ye 'bout somethin'?” said the old man to Hale. “She never cries 'cept when she's mad.” Hale laughed.
“You jes' hush up—both of ye,” said the girl with a sharp kick of her right foot.
“I reckon you can't stamp the ground that fer away from it,” said the old man dryly. “If you don't git the better of that all-fired temper o' yourn hit's goin' to git the better of you, an' then I'll have to spank you agin.”