men themselves, they
do not last, but are succeeded by others of various moods, tenses, and
genders. These nerve-convulsions are so genuine and so apt that they
are known as intuitions, and under this name they have achieved
importance. Mrs. Hightower, with all her lack of experience, was
capable of feeling that Sis Poteet needed the by no means unsubstantial
encouragement that lies in one little note of sympathy, and she was not
at all astonished when Sis responded to her intention by giving her a
smart little hug.

Presently Mrs. Parmalee, who had stationed herself near the door,
lifted her thin right arm and let it fall upon her lap.

"Well, sir!" she exclaimed, "ef yander ain't Sis's bo!"

Sis ran to the door, saw Woodward coming up the road, and blushed
furiously--a feat which Mrs. Hightower and Mrs. Parmalee, with all
their experience, had rarely seen performed in that region.

Woodward greeted Mrs. Poteet's visitors with a gentle deference and an
easy courtesy that attracted their favour in spite of themselves.
Classing him with the "Restercrats," these women took keen and
suspicious note of every word he uttered, and every movement he made,
holding themselves in readiness to become mortally offended at a curl
of the lip or the lifting of an eyebrow; but he was equal to the
occasion. He humoured their whims and eccentricities to the utmost, and
he was so thoroughly sympathetic, so genial, so sunny, and so handsome
withal, that he stirred most powerfully the maternal instincts of those
weather-beaten bosoms, and made them his friends and defenders. He told
them wonderful stories of life in the great world that lay far beyond
Hog Mountain, its spurs and its foot-hills. He lighted their pipes, and
even filled them out of his own tobacco-pouch, a proceeding which
caused Mrs. Parmalee to remark that she "would like mannyfac'
[Footnote: "Manufactured" tobacco, in contradistinction to the natural
leaf.] mighty well ef 'twer'n't so powerful weak."

Mrs. Hightower found early opportunity to deliver her verdict in Sis's
ear, whereupon the latter gave her a little hug, and whispered: "Oh, I
just think he's adorable!" It was very queer, however, that as soon as
Sis was left to entertain Mr. Woodward (the women making an excuse of
helping Puss about dinner), she lost her blushing enthusiasm, and
became quite cold and reserved. The truth is, Sis had convinced herself
some days before that she had the right to be very angr