"I'm sorry my visitors are not here to thank you themselves, but I feel sure they will be delighted to attend the dance," replied Mrs. Brewster, shaking her head rebukingly at the small boy who stood on the rockers of his mother's chair, and gripped hold of the back, and so was roughly swayed back and forth with the rocking. "See har, yuh Jim Henderson Halsey--git down from thar! Ef Ah ketch yuh, Ah'll skin yer face fer the hop--that Ah will!" threatened the mother, trying to reach her young hopeful. But Jim Henderson Halsey knew from dire experiences just what to expect did his mother succeed in catching him, so he dodged and ran away. "Did you-all say the gals would be in shortly?" asked the caller. "No, I said they were _not_ in. They are at the corral this morning." "Laws me! What a place t' spend th' mornin'. Ah reckon they'll be along any time, then." "They left here just before you came and they are practicing on our western horses before taking any long trips," explained Mrs. Brewster, looking regretfully at the flower-beds where the two willful children were destroying the fruits of her planting. Mrs. Halsey followed her hostess's glance and jumped up. "Ef yuh two varmints don't quit that, an' come right t' me, Ah'll--Ah'll shet yuh up in a boogy-hole!" shrilled the irate mother. Sary heard the familiar voice and instantly ran from the kitchen to assist in entertaining the morning visitor. The two bad youngsters, left to their own devices, began throwing the whitewashed stones that encircled Mrs. Brewster's roundels. "How-dy, Miss Halsey?" was Sary's greeting, her large hand extended in cordial comradeship. "Oh, it's Sary Dodd! How-dee, Sary? Ah recommember now that you-all come t' live wid Miss Brewster. How'd you-all like th' place?" The visitor's frankness lost none of its curiosity as she eagerly waited to hear all about the Brewster family with the mistress still present, but ignored. Sary was in her glory and made the most of it. She had just reached the point where she intended asking the "gossip" to stop to have dinner, when a crash interrupted the enlivening Yellow Jacket Pass conversation. "Sary, run and see what those children have done!" cried Mrs. Brewster, mentally thanking her stars for the timely intervention. Soon the ladies heard Jim Henderson Halsey bawling loudly, and his sister backing away from the buttery while she continued making faces at the angry help. The little girl's protruded tongue made Sary rush at her with uplifted palm, but both youngsters were so accustomed to dodging these attacks, that they reached the haven of Mrs. Halsey's presence without a painful encounter. "The ol' thing shook me till my teeth rattled!" wailed Jim Henderson, etc. "Sarves yuh right! What cha be'n up t', any way?" retorted Mrs. Halsey, the hope of dinner still lingering, but growing dim as Sary did not return.