In some way his appetite failed him, and he fell to thinking over his past life, of the death of his wife, and the early death of his only boy.

He was still trying to think what his life would be in the future without his girl, when two carriages drove into the yard.

It was about the middle of the forenoon, and the prairie-chickens had ceased to boom and squawk; in fact, that was why he knew that he had been sitting two hours at the table.

Before he could rise he heard swift feet and a merry voice.

Then Marietta burst through the door.
"Hello, Pap! How you makin' out with break"-- -- She saw a look on his face that went to her heart like a knife.