The stones, and the trees, and the brooks, and the hills look
like old friends--don't you think so?"
"I should think so," she said; "but I have never returned to my home
or my people, and never shall." And the tears rose in her eyes, and
she got up and walked to the window, and said, with her back towards
me, as if she was looking at the weather: "The doctor has a fine day
for his journey; I hope he will return soon. I think you will like
him."
And then she came back and took her seat, as composed as if I had
never awakened those sad thoughts. Poor thing! I knew what was passing
in her mind, as well as if those eloquent tears had not touched my
heart. Somehow or another, it appears to me, like a stumblin' horse, I
am always a-striking my foot agin some stone, or stump, or root, that
any fellow might see with half an eye. She forced a smile, and said:
"Are you married, Sir?"
"Married," sais I, "to be sure I am; I married Flora."
"You must think me as innocent as she was, to believe that," she said,
and laughed at the idea. "How many children have you?"
"Seven," sais I:
"Richard R., and Ira C.,
Betsey Anne, and Jessie B.,
Sary D., Eugeen--E,
And Iren--ee."
"I have heard a great deal of you, Mr Slick," she said, "but you are
the queerest man I ever see. You talk so serious, and yet you are so
full of fun."
"That's because I don't pretend to nothin', dear;" sais I, "I am just
a nateral man.
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