"And such leaves for your painting, Cousin Helen and Marie."
"And a box full of monotropas; so Marie can paint one from the life if she chooses."
"And Frank has a rattlesnake, a yard long and more, with thirteen rattles."
"Fourteen, if you please, and a button. Don't that make him fifteen years old, father?"
"So they say, my boy. Is this interesting pet of yours alive?"
"Not he," said Henry; "I took care of that. I like natural history well enough, but I don't care to have it walking around loose, especially with poison-fangs in its jaws. And, father, the barkers have finished up in the Jones tract and will be down to-night. And Abner Jones wants to burn his logging-piece, and he says he thinks the rest of the neighbours would agree if you would, but I told him I was pretty sure you would not as things were now."
"Quite right, my son. I don't want any burnings till that bark is hauled. Did you hear how Clarke's folks were?"
"The woman is better, but Abner Jones's wife says the poor girl will die."
"And a good thing it will be if she does," said Gerty.
"I thought perhaps we might send some one up to help them a little," continued Harry, without noticing the interruption.