Barbara Ladd

nionship of the cat and the fowls. (This was before the day of the yellow pup, which did not come upon the scene until the following summer.) She had alread

had knowledge that savoured of witchcraft. She would certainly have felt the heavy hand of correction more than once, and probably have been driven to seek a more humane environment, but for the staunch befriending of Doctor Jim. Something in the old woman's fearless independence appealed to both the big, loud-voiced, soft-hearted brothers-but to Doctor Jim in particular. He in particular came to perceive her clear common sense, to appreciate the loyal and humane heart that lurked within her acrid personality. He openly showed his favour, and stood between her and persecution, till Second Westings taught itself to regard her offences as privileged. So, though an outlaw, she became a useful and toler

g mortal could boast. She would talk to Doctor Jim. Doctor Jim would talk to Doctor John. Doctor John and Doctor Jim would together talk to Mistress Mehitable. And Barbara would be taken back without penalty of further exhortation or di

ercely and wonderingly; his shaggy eyebrows knitted and knotted as he listened; he dashed his hands through his hair till the well dressed loc

r rude handling. I swear she shall not be persecuted any longer-not if I have to take her away myself. No-not a word, not a wor

ig, white-porticoed, red-doored house which they occupied together. He left old Debby well content with th

efore Mistress Ladd, and I'll warrant that wise and gentle lady will see the matter clearly, just as we do. Yes, yes, my good Debby, we

, fast asleep also, against her breast. There was a darkness about her eyes, a hurt droop at the corners of her full red mouth, but the colour came wholesomely under the tr

owly, Barbara slipped her arms around his neck, thrust her face under his chin, drew a long sigh of satisfaction; and so, the revolt and cruel indignation for the time all quenched i

, reaching down a caressing hand; "I'll come to see y

y port. This latter subject was one on which Doctor Jim and Barbara had already learned to disagree with a kind of affectionate ferocity. The child was a rebel in every fibre, while Doctor Jim had a vigorous Tory prejudice which kept his power of polemic well occupied in Second Westings. The two were presently so absorbed in controversy that the rocky point of the morning's attempted tragedy was passed without the tr

vagabond, Debby Blue, or that pestilent rebel, Doctor John Pigeon, stuff your little head with notions. It's your place to stan

w thoroughly that worshipped father would have identified himself with the king's party as soon as occasion arose.

thin little gipsy hand on Doctor Jim's knee, as if regi

snatching her from her seat and

k of the garden, eating a handful of plump gooseberries. With affected sternness he eyed their approach, not uttering a word till Barbara violently pushed the gate open and

e a goo

thing in the world, and his humour, in season and out of season, quite irresistible. At t

o kiss me. I haven't seen you for more than a week, a

er at arm's length, and gazed a

one thing

pered Barbar

any of Jim Pigeon's ph

er wild peal of laughter. "Doctor

kiss-no, two!" said Doc

" insisted the child,

ms and setting her down. Then, Doctor Jim holding one of her hands and Doctor John the other, she

ld them, and the colour for a moment faded out of her cheeks. Doctor John and Doctor Jim both felt the pang of emotion that darted through her. She felt, rather than saw, that their big faces leaned above her tenderly. But she did not want them to speak. She was afraid they mig

st show of interest and surpris

emark, and wished she had not spoken. But Doctor John turne

ow, I should have expected to see the parson, or

he laughed hysterically; while Doctor Jim emitted a vast, appreciative guffaw. Before anything more could be said, the voice of Mi

aid, and smiled upon them

nded Doctor Jim, modulating his

n, snatching up Barbara, dashing forward, and t

to surmount the diffi

art and kissing her on the forehead. Barbara looked up, searched her aunt's face piercingly for a second, saw th

Aunt Hitty," she whispere

y, gave her a squeeze of understanding, and with her a