s the situation. I've nothin' against Samuel, nor he as I
knows on against me; but we have had a sufficiency of each other, and we
are havin' us a rest, Calvin. We eat together, but otherwise we don't.
But I'll tell you one thing," he added, leaning forward and dropping his
voice, while his eyes narrowed to pinpoints. "When I don't like a man, I
don't like him any better for bein' twin to me, I like him wuss!"

He leaned back again, and then repeated aloud, "Not that I've anything
against Samuel, or fur as I know, Samuel against me."

"Well! may I be scuttled," said Calvin Parks, "if ever I see the beat
of this! Why, Sim Sill--"

At this moment another door opened behind him, and a clear, pleasant
voice said,

"Dinner's ready, Cousin Sim! Cousin Sam, dinner's ready!"

Mr. Simeon Sill made a gesture of introduction. "Calvin," he said, "let
me make you acquainted with my cousin Miss Sands!"

Calvin Parks rose and made his best bow. "Miss Hands," he said, "I am
pleased to meet you, I'm sure!"

CHAPTER II

BROTHERLY WAYS

"You'll stay to dinner, Cal?" said Mr. Sim.

"Calvin, you'll eat dinner with us?" cried Mr. Sam.

Calvin Parks looked at Miss Sands, and saw hospitality beaming in her
face.

"Thank ye, Sim;" he said, "I'm obliged to you, Sam; I'll stay with
pleasure, Miss Hands!"

It was a singular meal. Mary Sands sat at the head of the table, with
all the dishes before her, and helped the three men largely to the
excellent boiled dinner. Calvin Parks faced her at the foot, and the
twins sat on either side. They talked cheerfully with their visitor and
Miss Sands, but did not address each other directly.

Calvin remarked upon the excellence of the beef. "Fancy brisket, ain't
it?" he asked.

"Yes!" replied Mr. Sim. "It's the best cut on the critter for cornin'."

Mr. Sam looked at his cousin. "Tell him I don't agree with him!" he
said.

"Cousin Sim, Cousin Sam don't agree with you!" said Mary Sands placidly.

"Tell him the aitch bone is better!" continued Mr. Sam with some heat.

"He says the aitch bone is better!" repeated Mary Sands.

"Tell him it ain't!" said Mr. Sim.

"Cousin Sim says it ain't, Cousin Sam," said Mary, "and that's enough on
the subject."

She spoke with calm and cheerful authority; the twins glowered at the
corned beef in silence.

"Speakin' of critters," said Calvin Parks hastily, "how many head are
you carryin' now, boys?"

There was no reply. Looking at Miss S