ur laigs was as
bad as mine, Calvin, you might think different. If I get through this
winter--what you got there?"

"Slippers!" said Calvin. "Christmas present from Sam. Wants you to wear
'em and save shoe-leather."

"The failin's of Sam'l's mind," said Mr. Sim gravely, "are growin' on
him ekal to those of his body. Shoe-leather! when I ain't stepped foot
outside the door since Ma died. But they are handsome, certin; you may
thank him for me, Calvin."

"May!" said Calvin. "That's a sweet privilege, no two ways about that.
Hello! what in Tunkett--" he stopped, abruptly, staring. "Splice my
halyards if you haven't got a red one!" Mr. Sim glanced down with shy
pride at his waistcoat.

"Christmas Day, you know, Calvin!" he said. "We allers made some little
change in our dress, sir, for Christmas dinner. I thought 'twould please
Ma, and Cousin, and--and the other one, too!" he added, with a furtive
glance toward the door.

"Well, I am blowed!" said Calvin Parks plaintively. "I certinly am this
time. You boys is too much for me."

Mr. Sim coughed modestly, and cast another coy glance at the red
waistcoat. "How is poor Sam'l this mornin', Calvin?" he asked
mournfully. "Do you find him changed much of any?"

"I do not!" said Calvin. "He's just about as handsome, and just about as
takin' as he was last time, fur as I see."

"Ah!" sighed Mr. Sim. "You don't see below the surface, Cal."

"Nor don't wish to!" retorted Calvin. "That's quite sufficient for me."

"I've got the feelin' in my bones," Mr. Sim went on, "that somethin' is
goin' to happen to Sam'l, Calvin. He's that reckless, sir, I look 'most
any day to see him brought home a mangled remain. Call it a warnin', or
what you will, I believe it's comin'. I hear him cuttin' round them
corners, and reshin' in and out the yard with them wild hosses,--"

"Wild hosses!" repeated Calvin Parks. "Sim Sill, you feel in your pants
pocket, won't you, and see if you can't scare up some wits, just a mite.
Old John is thirty if he's a day, and the old hoss of all--well, nobody
knows how old he is, beyond that he'll never see forty again. The mare
has been here ever since I can remember, or pretty nigh, and your Ma
bought the young colt before ever I went to sea. Now talk about wild
hosses!"

"It ain't their age, Cal, it's their natur'!" responded Mr. Sim with
dignity. "That mare, sir, has never ben stiddy, nor yet will she ever so
be, in my opinion."

"Well!" said Calvin Pa