Rustic Hospitality

"Why, Dave," said Kate to her cousin in an undertone, "you look
positively fierce. If I had a particle of vanity I should say you were
jealous."

"When I get jealous, Kate, it will be of a man, not of a tailor's sign."

"Say, Miss Kate," said Hi Holler, "they're a couple of old lengths of
stove-pipes out in the loft; I'm going to polish 'em up for leggins.
Darned if I let any city dude get ahead o' me."

"The green-eyed monster is driving you all crazy," laughed Kate, in
great good humor. "The girls don't seem to find any fault with him."
Cynthia and Amelia were both regarding him with admiring glances.

Dave turned away in some impatience. Involuntarily his eyes sought out
Anna Moore to see if she, too, was adding her quota of admiration to
the stranger's account. But Anna had no eyes or ears for anything but
the business of the moment, which was attending to the Squire's guests.
Evidently one woman could retain her senses in the presence of this
tailor's figure. Dave's admiration of Anna went up several points.

She slipped about as quietly as a spirit, removing and replacing dishes
with exquisite deftness. Even the Squire was forced to acknowledge
that she was a great acquisition to the household. She neither sought
to avoid nor to attract the attention of Sanderson; she waited on him
attentively and unobtrusively as she would have waited on any other
guest at the Squire's table. The Squire and Sanderson retired to the
porch to discuss the purchase of the stock, and Mrs. Bartlett and Anna
set to work to clear away the dishes. Kate excused herself from
assisting, as she had to assume the position as hostess and soon had
the church choir singing in its very best style. Song after song rang
out on the clear summer air. It was a treat not likely to be forgotten
soon by the listeners. All the members of the choir had what is known
as "natural talent," joined to which there was a very fair amount of
cultivation, and the result was music of a most pleasing type, music
that touches the heart--not a mere display Of vocal gymnastics.