The glance he bent on Ellen was thoughtful and earnest, and so kind that she feared it was pity.

Ellen suddenly burned for news from the village.
"Wal, come in an' set down, won't you ?" he asked.
"No, thanks," replied Ellen, and she took a seat on the chopping block.
"Tell me, uncle, what's goin' on down in the Valley ?" "Nothin' much yet--except talk.

An' there's a heap of thet." "Humph! There always was talk," declared Ellen, contemptuously.

"A nasty, gossipy, catty hole, that Grass Valley!" "Ellen, thar's goin' to be war--a bloody war in the ole Tonto Basin," went on Sprague, seriously.
"War! ...

Between whom ?" "The Isbels an' their enemies.