bag in a tub, raked open the
buried fire and threw on a log. He always ate at Jimmy's when Jimmy was
at home, so there was no supper to get. He went out to the barn, wading
mud ankle deep, fed and bedded his horses, and then went over to
Jimmy's barn, and completed his work up to milking. Jimmy came out with
the pail, and a very large hole in the bottom of it was covered with
dried dough. Jimmy looked at it disapprovingly.

"I bought a new milk pail the other night. I know I did," he said.
"Mary was kicking for one a month ago, and I went after it the night I
met Ruben O'Khayam. Now what the nation did I do with that pail?"

"I have wondered mysel'," answered Dannie, as he leaned over and lifted
a strange looking object from a barrel. "This is what ye brought home,
Jimmy."

Jimmy stared at the shining, battered, bullet-punctured pail in
amazement. Slowly he turned it over and around, and then he lifted
bewildered eyes to Dannie.

"Are you foolin'?" he asked. "Did I bring that thing home in that
shape?"

"Honest!" said Dannie.

"I remember buyin' it," said Jimmy slowly. "I remember hanging on to it
like grim death, for it was the wan excuse I had for goin', but I don't
just know how--!" Slowly he revolved the pail, and then he rolled over
in the hay and laughed until he was tired. Then he sat up and wiped his
eyes. "Great day! What a lot of fun I must have had before I got that
milk pail into that shape," he said. "Domned if I don't go straight to
town and buy another one; yes, bedad! I'll buy two!"

In the meantime Dannie milked, fed and watered the cattle, and Jimmy
picked up the pail of milk and carried it to the house. Dannie came by
the wood pile and brought in a heavy load. Then they washed, and sat
down to supper.

"Seems to me you look unusually perky," said Jimmy to his wife. "Had
any good news?"

"Splendid!" said Mary. "I am so glad! And I don't belave you two
stupids know!"

"You niver can tell by lookin' at me what I know," said Jimmy. "Whin I
look the wisest I know the least. Whin I look like a fool, I'm thinkin'
like a philosopher."

"Give it up," said Dannie promptly. You would not catch him knowing
anything it would make Mary's eyes shine to tell.

"Sap is running!" announced Mary.

"The Divil you say!" cried Jimmy.

"It is!" beamed Mary. "It will be full in three days. Didn't you notice
how green the maples are? I took a little walk down to the bottom
to-day. I niver in all my life w