"I'm sorry to go," he told them, honestly. "I like your little camp."
"It's goin' to be a rousin' town pretty soon, by jinks!" said Keno,
pulling at his sleeves. "I'm showin' up a great big ledge, on Jim's
Baberlonian claim."
"Mebbe you'll some day come back here, parson," said the smith.
"Perhaps I shall," he answered. Then a faint look of worry came on his
face as he thrust his hand in his pocket. "Before I forget it, you
must let me know what my bill is for board of the horses and also for
the work you've done."
Webber flushed crimson.
"There ain't no bill," he said. "What do you take us fellers
fer--since little Skeezucks came to camp? All we want is to shake
hands all 'round, with you and the missus and the little girls."
Old Jim, little Skeezucks, the pup, and Miss Doc, with Mrs. Stowe, came
out through the snow to the road in front of the gate. Not a penny had
the preacher been able to force upon the Dennihans for their lodging
and care.
The man tried to speak--to thank them all, but he failed. He shook
hands "all around," however, and then his shy little wife and the three
little girls did the same. Preacher and all, they kissed tiny Carson,
sitting on the arm he knew so well, and holding fast to his doll; and
he placed his wee bit of a hand on the face of each of his bright-faced
little friends.
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