“Law, now, Tally, you’re jest a colt, as hit war, and thar’s plenty of chances comin’ fer you. Hit ain’t as if you war sech a broken-down hoss critter as I be.” “But I can’t bear to give up the school!” cried the girl. “I’ve been trying so hard to think of some way, and nobody seems to have the least interest in it any more.” “Don’t they now?” said Si Quinn with recovered cheerfulness. Then stopping suddenly, “’Pears ter me suthin’s been goin’ on up this a way.” They had come to where, through a cleared space among the trees, a blackened heap was visible—all that was left of the poor little schoolhouse. But Talitha hardly noticed it. Something beyond had caught her eye—a substantial yet picturesque structure of logs, the rough bark still covering them and adding a beauty in harmony with the surroundings. The carefully laid chimney at one end was receiving the last finishing touches at the hands of a capable mason from the Settlement. A dozen men stood about watching him admiringly. The old man saw Talitha’s eyes widen in amazement. “Why, what is it?” she cried suddenly. “I don’t understand!” “Well, well, honey,” chuckled Si Quinn, “I reckon thet’s the joke Mart writ you ’bout, and I declar’ if hit ain’t the biggest one I ever heerd tell on. Hit’s goin’ ter be all ready fer you ter begin school Monday, and nobody war goin’ ter say anythin’ ter you ’bout hit till thet time; but I see I jest had ter, you war frettin’ so.” The new schoolhouse was a most pretentious affair in the eyes of its builders. The logs were carefully chinked to keep out the cold, and the three good-sized windows contained shining panes of glass. Inside, there were backs to the rough benches. Desks, the amateur carpenters had felt unable to cope with, but there was a little platform with a rude table for the teacher. A large sheet-iron stove gave promise of warming the farthest corners of the room. It was all so far beyond Talitha’s most ambitious dreams that she sank upon a seat and burst into tears. The men looked at her abashed. “Law me, Tally,” expostulated Sam Coyle, “hit looks fairly ongrateful fer you ter take on that-a-way.” “Now shet up, Sam,” commanded the schoolmaster with his old authority. “Tally’s jest as tickled as anybody, but hit’s all come so mighty sudden she’s kerried plumb off her feet.” “I should say I was!” laughed the girl, wiping her eyes. “I never dreamed of such a thing.”