Elmer was already on his way downstairs, clump, clump, clump. He halted at the kitchen door, buttoning his snowy jacket, gaping stolidly at Fanny’s child.
For he knew her instantly—Eris, daughter of Discord.
“Hello, Dad,” she said uncertainly.
“Hello.... Waal, waal, I’ll be jiggered! Waal, dang it all!... So you took a notion to come back, did you?”
“If you’ll let me stay for a little while——”
“Why, Eris, how you talk!” exclaimed Mazie. “This is your home; ain’t it, Pa?”
Elmer buttoned the last button of his milking jacket:
“She can stay if she’s a mind to. She allus does as she’s a mind to,” he replied grimly.
“Now you quit, Pa,” remonstrated Mazie, cheerily. “Eris, you go right up to your own room. Everything’s just like you left it. Where’s your trunk? All right; Si and Buddy will take it up.” And to her husband: “Pa, I’m surprised at you. Ain’t you a-going to shake hands with your own daughter?”
“Gimme a chance,” he grunted.