"Good evening, Mose." "Good evening, Cory.

How's my little Pink ?" "What did you say about hittin' the trail, Mose ?" "Now I reckon you'll give an account of yourself," said Reynolds with a wink.
Mose was anxious to avoid an emotional moment; he cautiously replied: "Oh, I'm off on a little hunting excursion; don't get excited about it.
I'm hungry as a coyote; can I eat ?" Cora was silenced but not convinced, and after supper, when the old people withdrew from the kitchen, she returned to the subject again.
"How long are you going to be gone this time ?" Mose saw the storm coming, but would not lie to avoid it.
"I don't know; mebbe all winter." She dropped into a chair facing him, white and still.

When she spoke her voice was a wail.

"O Mose! I can't live here all winter without you." "Oh, yes, you can; you've got Pink and the old folks." "But I want _you_! I'll die here without you, Mose.

I can't endure it." His face darkened.