Mark Carter and Billy as they rode silently down the little street
toward Aunt Saxon's cottage did not speak. They did not need to speak,
these two. They had utmost confidence in one another, they were both
troubled, and had no solution to offer for the difficulty. That was
enough to seal any wise mouth. Only at the door as Billy climbed out
Mark leaned toward him and said in a low growl: "You're all right, Kid! You're the best friend a man ever had! I
appreciate what you did!"
"Aw!" squirmed Billy, pulling down his cap, "That's awright! See you
t'morra' Cart! S'long!" And Billy stalked slowly down the street
remembering for the first time that he had his aunt yet to reckon with.
With the man's way of taking the bull by the horns he stormed in: "Aw, Gee! I'm tired! Now, I'spose you'll bawl me out fer a nour, an' I
couldn't help it! You always jump on me worst when I ain't to blame!"
Aunt Saxon turned her pink damp face toward the prodigal and broke into
a plaintive little smile: "Why, Willie, is that you? I'm real glad you've come. I've kept supper
waiting. We've got cold pressed chicken, and I stirred up some waffles.
I thought you'd like something hot."
Billy stared, but the reaction was too much. In order to keep the
sudden tears back he roared out crossly: "Well, I ain't hungry. You hadn't oughtta have waited. Pressed chicken,
did ya say? Aw Gee! Just when I ain't hungry! Ef that ain't
luck! An' waffles! You oughtta known better! But bring 'em on.
I'll try what I can do," and he flung himself down in his chair at the
table and rested a torn elbow on the clean cloth, and his weary head on
a grimy hand. And then when she put the food before him, without even
suggesting that he go first and wash, he became suddenly conscious of
his dishevelled condition and went and washed his hands and face
without being sent! Then he returned and did large justice to
the meal, his aunt eyeing furtively with watery smiles, and a sigh of
relief now and then. At last she ventured a word by way of
conversation: "How is the man on the mountain?" Billy looked up sharply, startled out
of his usual stolidity with which he had learned from early youth to
mask all interest or emotion from an officious and curious world.
Miss Saxon smiled: "Mrs. Carter told me how you and Mark went to help a man on the
mountain. It was nice of you Billy."