Moving out of the throng, she kissed Rufus, who looked dejected and resentful. "How is Pa, Rufus?" "There ain't any change. The doctor says he may drag on this way for several weeks, or he may go suddenly at any time." "Well, we'd better start right on." Walking quickly up the slope to where the old buggy was standing, she put her arms round Dan's neck and laid her cheek against him. "He knows me," she said, "dear old Dan, he hasn't forgotten me. Is there anything you want for Ma at the store?" "She gave me a list. I left it with Minnie May." "Minnie May doesn't work in the store, does she? Who looks after the children?" "She does. She does everything." "Well, it's a shame. She oughtn't to, and only thirteen. I'll speak to Nathan about it." At her commanding tone, Rufus grinned. "You've come back looking as if you could run the world, Dorinda," he observed, with envy. "I wish I could go away. I'd start to-morrow, if it wasn't for Pa." "Yes, that's why I came back. We can't leave Pa and Ma now. But it's hard on you, Rufus." "You bet it is! It's my turn to get away next." She assented. "I know it. If the time comes when Pa can do without you, I'll help you to go. You'll never make much of a farmer." He stared moodily at the road, but she could see that her promise had encouraged him. "There's nothing in it," he answered. "I believe it is the meanest work ever made. You may slave till you drop, and there's never anything to show for it. Look at Pa." "Pa never had a chance. He grew up at the wrong time. But all farming isn't bad. Suppose we had a dairy farm?" He grinned again. "O Lord! with one cow! You're out of your head!" "Perhaps. Anyway, I've come back to see what I can do." Her glance wavered as Nathan, having dashed into the store with the mail bag, came toward them with the kind of lope that he used when he was in a hurry. "I didn't get a chance to speak to you at the train, Dorinda," he said, "but all the same I'm glad you're home again. The children want to get a peek at you in your city clothes. Minnie May's gone crazy about your veil."