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This was the touch of spark to powder. The boy thrust his hand deep into his pocket, brought it forth and opened it, then stepped quickly forward: "I'll bet you a nickel an' here it is that Daniel an' I can beat you to the pike an' back!" "Keep 'way! Keep 'way, son!" the old man hastily warned. "Keep 'way from his heah whirlwind!" Bip backed slowly off.
"Does you mean I couldn'? Why, ain' you 'shamed of yohse'f talkin' dat a-way to ole Zack! I could a-tol' you, spry's yoh please, but it warn't good fer li'l boys jes' den." "Then tell me now!" Bip challenged. "How ole is you, honey?" came the irrelevant question. "I'll be seven next time," he answered. "Seven nex' time!"
In order to dispel some of the gloom, the Colonel had issued a proclamation calling both families to assemble there upon the lawn at four of the clock, to celebrate, in a sane or insane manner, the patriotic day. To Dale, Bip and Aunt Timmie this brought much excitement. The feelings of Miss Liz were also stirred, but rather with a solemn thrill of reverence for her departed heroes.
"Existence is satisfying enough with you and Ann and Bip," she lightly replied, "unless you want to get rid of me!" He flushed, and turned almost angrily. "There, I take it back," she said in tones as soft as the night. "It was horrid! You've been so splendid in giving me a home although I do sometimes feel guilty for not being with the Colonel after all he's done!
"Now, Marse John, you's jest pesterin'! De truff is, sah," she turned to Brent, "dat 'long back yonder when Miss Ann's 'bout de size of li'l Bip, a man come down heah an' says ef I takes a policy out on Zack, when de ole nigger's daid, he say, I'll be wu'th somethin'. I turned it over an' over in mah haid, an' reckoned dat, ef Zack had to go, dar warn't no sin in ole Timmie gittin' all de comfo't outen it she could.
Bip, however, should fire a few crackers, and Dale had yielded to Brent's request to demonstrate the mountain people's skill at rifle shooting. Tales of their prowess, the engineer had declared, were more wonderful than believable.
"I knows you ain' sendin' no flowers to Marse Bob or li'l Bip," the grin became broader. Then Brent continued his walk. He felt that he could never be quiet again. The Colonel, when he came down, was too much occupied with his own thoughts to notice this restlessness, but, as a woman appeared to serve breakfast, he asked: "Where is Zack?" "I'm to blame," Brent answered.
"Most certainly, sir!" His affirmation suggested a long personal acquaintance with such matters. "They always begin at five!" Jane gave him a quick, twinkling glance, but only added: "I thought the vesper service might be cooler, and a pleasanter drive. We ought to start a little after four, don't you think so? And we'll take Bip, and Dale." "I wouldn't stop there," Brent moodily suggested.
Otherwise, the weeks might be composed of Mondays or Fridays, since school had been out. Jane, this particular morning playing with Bip and Mac somewhat apart from the Colonel and Brent who were engrossed in a game of chess, had been critically alive to the Sunday habits of these two families which had come to mean so much to her; especially in relation to the little boy.
Yet, were I there, I couldn't give nearly as much time to Bip. Nothing can " "I wish you'd chop that," he growled. "You talk like you're under an obligation, when you know darn well " "I was saying," she looked up brightly, "that nothing can take its place, not even your suggested slavery; and there isn't a man in the world whom I wouldn't despise for asking me. I just don't feel a bit like it!"
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