Louie, amazed, woke up in earnest, and Reuben came stealthily in.

He had his hat and stick under his arm, and one hand held his boots, while he stepped noiselessly in his stocking feet across the room to where Louie lay--'Louie, are yo awake ?' The child stared up at him, seeing mostly his stubble of red hair, which came like a grotesque halo between her and the wall.

Then she nodded.
'Doan't let yor aunt hear nothin, Louie.

She thinks I'm gone out to th' calves.

But, Louie, that merchant I towd yo on came yesterday, an he wor a hard un, he wor--as tough as nails, a sight worse nor owd Croker to deal wi, ony day in th' week.