"She's grown, powerful. Tall an' straight as an Indian, an' fair as a snowflake. Such hair! I don't wonder she wears it that way, though I wouldn't humor her by lettin' on. I've heard she did it to please her 'tribe' an' the old minister. Well, there's always plenty of fools. They're a crop 'at never fails." The Sun Maid reappeared. She had not stopped to change her white gown, but she brought a pair of snow-shoes, and carried three or four short planks across her strong, firm shoulder. "My sake! Ain't you tough! I couldn't lift one them planks, rugged as I call myself, let alone four. But--snow-shoes in the springtime?" "Yes. I've learned a way for myself of helping the many who get mired out here. See how quickly I can set you free." Putting on the shoes, the girl walked straight over the mud, and throwing down the planks before the animals, encouraged them to help themselves. "What are their names? Jim and Pete? Come on, my poor beasts; and, once clear, you shall have a fine rest and feed." "Shucks! There! Go on! Giddap! Gee! Haw!" There followed a time of suspense, but at last the oxen gained a little advance, when Kitty promptly moved the planks forward, and in due time the wagon rolled out upon a firmer spot. "Well, Kitty girl, you may not have sense, but you've got what's better--that's gumption. And that's Chicago, is it?" "Yes. I hope you like it." "I've got to, whether or no. I'm in awful trouble, Kitty Briscoe, an' it's all your fault." "What can you mean?" "Abel--Abel----" "Yes--yes! What is it?" "Ever sence you run away he's been pinin' to run after you. Said the house wasn't home no more. 'Twasn't; though I wouldn't let on to him. We've kept gettin' comfortabler off, an' I jawed him from mornin' to night to make him contented. But he wouldn't listen. Got so he wouldn't work home if he could help it, but lounged round the neighbors'. Got hankerin' to go somewheres, an' keep tavern, like his father afore him. Now, we've got burnt out----" "Burned out! Oh, Mercy, that _is_ trouble, indeed! Tell me--No, wait. Let us go and get something to eat first; and what were you intending to do with that load of stuff?" "Ship it East, if I can. I've heard there was consid'able that business bein' done. Or sell it to the Fort folks." "I think they'll be glad of it; they are always needing everything. I'll go with you there, and your team can be left there, too, till Abel comes." "Abel! You don't think I'd leave him to manage _business_, do you?" "I thought you said he was now staying behind to sell out--to 'manage.'" "He's stayin' to try. There's a big difference 'twixt tryin' an' doin'. He can't sell, not easy. And some day, when this whim of his is over, we'll go back an' settle again, or move farther on. It's gettin' ruther crowded where we be for comfort, these days." "Crowded? Are there many new neighbors?"