And
while she was standing there, Jim came out of the house.
"Ma'm," he said, and she turned with a start; and toward her he came
with a gentle boldness, and she looked at him in surprise. "Ma'm, I have
come to tell you good-bye."
Her breath came quick, and then with a smile she quieted herself as one
resigned to evil news. "Why, you aren't going, are you?"
Standing a few paces from her he hung low his head. "Yes, I thought I'd
better cut my stay a little short. My people need me."
As someone far away she saw him, though he was nearer now. "But don't
we--don't your uncle need you?"
He was not too big, not awkward now--his hands were not in his way, and
thinking not upon how to stand, stood gracefully; and the breeze that
came down the creek brought cool perfume from the nestling coves where
all the day and the night the wild rose nodded.
"No, ma'm; my work lies away over among the mountains." She turned to
walk away from him, but looking up, was closer. "I beg yo' pardon,
ma'm, but haven't you got a picture of yo'se'f you would give me?"
"A picture of me? What do you want with it, Mr.
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