" He raised one hand
to his mouth and still Bub was suspicious.
"Looks like you been in a fight." The boy began to laugh, but Dave
ignored him and went on into the cabin. Within, he sat where he
could see through the open door.
"Whar you been, Dave?" asked old Judd from the corner. Just then
he saw June coming and, pretending to draw on his pipe, he waited
until she had sat down within ear-shot on the edge of the porch.
"Who do you reckon owns this house and two hundred acres o' land
roundabouts?"
The girl's heart waited apprehensively and she heard her father's
deep voice.
"The company owns it." Dave laughed harshly.
"Not much--John Hale." The heart out on the porch leaped with
gladness now
"He bought it from the company. It's just as well you're goin'
away, Uncle Judd. He'd put you out."
"I reckon not. I got writin' from the company which 'lows me to
stay here two year or more--if I want to."
"I don't know. He's a slick one."
"I heerd him say," put in Bub stoutly, "that he'd see that we
stayed here jus' as long as we pleased."
"Well," said old Judd shortly, "ef we stay here by his favour, we
won't stay long.
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